Parika teen dies in mining pit accident

A 17-year-old miner identified as Anthony Richard of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) lost his life on Tuesday at around 15:30hrs while working in a mining pit at Cowpen Backdam, Puruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Police revealed in a press release.
It has been reported that the teen had owned a four-inch land dredge, which he operated at the said location with the assistance of three workers. On the day in question, Richard and the workers were in his mining pit ‘jetting’ with a hose when the land above him suddenly became loose and crumbled, covering him in the process.
The other workers raised an alarm, and public-spirited persons responded. Together, they were able to dig away the soil under which he was buried, but by the time they retrieved his body, it was lifeless. The body was taken to the Puruni Health Post, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
An examination of the body revealed several abrasions on his left leg. A postmortem will be conducted.