A Dukestown, Corriverton man died yesterday after he was electrocuted while he and five others were erecting GTT utility poles at Number 52 Village, Corentyne.
One of the poles reportedly came into contact with GPL’s network at the location resulting in the incident.
Up to press time there had been no word from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT).
Dead is Michael Anthony Benjamin, 27, a foreman of Lot 6 Dukestown, Corriverton.
According to information gathered, Benjamin and Odel Kyte, 38, a labourer of Lot 42 Dukestown, Corriverton along with four others were working to erect wooden utility poles for GTT within Number 52 Village to Number 56 Village when the incident occurred just after midday at Middle Walk Dam, Number 52 Village.
Stabroek News was told that Benjamin was operating a four-ton truck which has a hydraulic lift used to lift the pole to the site.
While Benjamin was operating the hydraulic lift and Kyte was holding the pole centring it in a hole, they experienced a sudden movement that caused the pole to touch the GPL electrical line. This resulted in Kyte feeling a sudden vibration and he quickly let go of the pole.
He then subsequently proceeded to check on Benjamin and saw him lying motionless on the ground next to the truck where he was operating the hydraulic lift.
Benjamin was rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) yesterday said that Benjamin was not contracted by its company. “Our preliminary investigation revealed the young man was employed by another utility company that was carrying out work in the Berbice area when their bucket truck came into contact with our network. Our company extends sympathy to the family of the deceased”, GPL said.
