An autopsy performed on the remains of Lennox Douglas, the miner who died earlier this week after the pit he was working in caved-in at Mowasi Backdam, Konawaruk, Potaro showed that he died as a result of multiple injuries.
This was confirmed by the Police Divisional Commander, Kevin Adonis, who told Stabroek News that the autopsy was conducted yesterday.
Stabroek News had reported that the incident occurred at around 6pm on Monday while Douglas, 33, a resident of Canvas City, Wismar, Linden and two other men were working in the mining pit. A source had informed this newspaper that the surviving miners reported to the police that they were all in the mining pit, operating a four inch dredge, when a portion of the wall collapsed and struck Douglas to his head.
He was picked up and taken to the Issano Health Centre, where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.
Douglas’ two co-workers were questioned by the police and subsequently released.
The incident saw Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, ordering an immediate enforcement operation to address the increase in mining-related deaths.
During last month, there were two other mining related deaths in Mowasi Backdam. On September 17th, miners Deon Sproston, called ‘Jersey Joe,’ 36, of Mabaruma, North West District, and of Lot 133 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, and Shawn (only name provided), a resident of Aishalton Village, Rupununi, died in a pit cave-in.
At the time, the ministry said, they were engaged in illegal mining on a concession. Trotman had also ordered an immediate investigation into that incident.
