The Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department is currently investigating an alleged workplace fatality at Montrose Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
The incident occurred around 10:05 pm on Monday, December 18th 2023 and involved 29-year-old Daniel McCalmon a construction worker of La Penitence, Georgetown, who died while engaged in roadwork at the side of the road.
The ministry said in a release that according to reports received, McCalmon was an employee of Sain Construction, which was contracted to undertake road work at the side of the road in Region Four.
Occupational Safety and Health Officer with responsibility for ECD, Johana Vaughn, was assigned to conduct this investigation to determine the causes of the accident and to provide the company with recommendations to prevent future recurrences, the release said.
The accident involved a pickup, PAD 1720, owned by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and driven by a 44-year-old of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway; another pickup, GMM 8060, owned and driven by an 80-year-old of Dasrath Street, Triumph Village, East Coast Demerara; and McCalmon, now deceased.
Investigations revealed that the NIS pickup was proceeding west on the Montrose Public Road at a fast rate and while attempting to negotiate a left turn, the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with the centre median. As a result, the vehicle ended up on the northern carriageway and struck McCalmon, the crew member, who was engaged in roadwork at the side of the road.
After the impact, McCalmon was dragged by the pickup which then collided with another pickup, GMM 8060, which was proceeding east on the same public road.
The collision resulted in both vehicles receiving extensive damage with McCalmon pinned under pickup, GAD 1720. He was picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Stabroek News spoke to McCalmon’s mother who related that her son works the night shift with Sain Construction. The distraught woman said that he had just left for work that evening when the incident occurred.
This newspaper also contacted Sain Construction site manager, Adrian Samaroo, who informed that he was not on site when the incident occurred and that the workers who were present are currently assisting the police with their investigation.
