Three Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara men were yesterday morning crushed to death when the mining pit they were working in at Aranka, Cuyuni caved in.
Dead are Devon Barry age 22 of Lot 22 Two Friends, Ann’s Grove; Deonarine Singh known as `Chubby’ age 25 of Lot 17 Ann’s Grove and Elson Singh a 47-year-old father of three of Lot 1, Two Friends village. A fourth miner, identified as Robert Adams who was in the pit at the time was saved.
Stabroek News understands that the miners were in the pit around 11 am when it suddenly started to cave in. The four were buried by the mud and sand but quick work by other miners resulted inAdams being pulled to safety.
The bodies of the dead were flown to the city late yesterday afternoon and are at the Lyken’s Funeral Home.
The mood in the East Coast Demerara community was a sombre one. This newspaper was told that many men from the area are working in the Aranka gold fields.
At the home of Barry, his mother Youlanda was too distraught to speak. His sister Keisha Barry stated that sometime after midday her aunt got the news that three persons were killed. She said that initially they did not know that her brother was among the dead.
She said that Barry who has been a miner for many years left home just over a month ago. Keisha recalled that he called relatives on Sunday. She added that the incident comes as a shock to the family as they lost a close relative (her grandmother) two months ago.
Barry who is the third of seven children also leaves to mourn his father Glenroy Williams.
Farther up the road at the home of Deonarine, his aunt, Sunita Stuart who had raised him from birth was in tears. The woman stated that she last spoke with him on Monday night and during the conversation he said “auntie I love you”.
Sobbing loudly while being comforted by relatives and friends, the woman said that she had always pleaded with Deonarine to be careful. She said that he told her that he would be returning home for Christmas. On Monday night he also spoke to his mother Latchmie Singh and wished her a belated birthday. Latchmie was too distraught to speak to Stabroek News.
Two corners away at the home of Elson Singh many persons had gathered. His cousin Erika Soso said that he left the home in August for the Aranka area where he has been working for over twenty years. Soso said that relatives were informed of the tragedy just after noon. She said that based on what they were told four persons “went down” but only one was saved. When asked if he ever expressed fears about working in a pit, she said that he had always told her that if a cave in occurs he will try to save himself.
Like Deonarine he was expected home in time for Christmas and he too spoke with relatives on Monday.
His reputed wife Ronda Monize told Stabroek News that during their last conversation (Monday) they discussed the construction of their home. She said that when she spoke to him, nothing seemed out of the ordinary and he was in good spirits.
Relatives described Elson as a loving, hard working and ambitious man. His youngest child is one year old.
Over the years many miners have lost their lives while working in the pits. Authorities have been urged to sensitize miners on safer mining practices.
According to the mining regulations, the depths of mining pits should not exceed 40 feet. In many cases miners are not clad in safety gear.
Miners have been buried alive at Aranka, the Mazaruni area, Mahdia and other interior locations.
