A post-mortem examination performed on the body of John Fernandes Limited stevedore Orin Morris revealed that he died as a result of blunt trauma to the head.
The body of Morris, 48, of Lot 961 ‘B’ Field Sophia, Georgetown was retrieved from the Demerara River on July 21, more than a day after he was involved in a freak accident.
Reports reaching Stabroek News revealed that the incident occurred around 2 am July 20 while Morris was performing his duties on a pontoon. He fell into the Demerara River after being hit by a log which was being moved by a crane.
His sister Juney Morris had told this newspaper that she learnt of the tragic incident when she received a call from one of Orin’s colleagues. She said she and other relatives immediately rushed to the scene. A search for his body ended on July 21 after it was found under the wharf.
According to Juney, the family is convinced Orin’s death was as a result of an accident. She had explained that they met officials of the company who offered to assist with the funeral expenses.
Orin was laid to rest on Tuesday.
During December 2007, a similar incident occurred at the said wharf which resulted in the loss of the life of stevedore Andel Newyear of ‘B’ Field, Sophia.
This newspaper had reported that Newyear was loading timber into a container when a wire rope used to bind the wood snapped and slashed his neck.
He died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital, days after the incident.
