Pensioner dies after mining pit collapses

Emanuel Jeffrey of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, a 70-year-old pensioner who worked as a miner in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), has died after the pit in which he was working collapsed.
The incident reportedly occurred at Thomas Island in the Puruni River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), where Jeffrey operated a four-inch land dredge and had two employees.
According to preliminary investigations, on Tuesday at about 14:00h, the three men were engaged in mining activities in a pit 15 feet wide, 10 feet long and 8 feet deep. While working, the eastern side of the pit collapsed, and the cascading soil completely buried Jeffrey for approximately 60 minutes.
His coworkers immediately initiated rescue efforts, by which they managed to excavate the site and retrieve his body from the rubble. Transported to the Bartica Hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival at 02:02h on Wednesday. His body is at the Bartica Hospital mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Ranks from Regional Division Seven have visited and examined the scene, and an investigation has been launched.