64-year-old miner died after mining pit collapsed in Region #8

A 64-year-old miner of Subryanville, Georgetown was on Monday killed after the wall of a mining pit caved in on him at Micobie Backdam in Potaro, Region #8. Police said the incident occurred at about 12:00h.

According to a police statement, the now dead man was identified as Donald Gouveia, called ‘Danny’.

Investigations so far revealed that Gouveia and three other workers were working in a mining pit, made up of sandy soil. The pit is about 60 feet in diameter and 70 feet in depth.

At the time Donald was jetting when the western pit wall collapsed covering 15 feet of the depth and in the process covering him.

His co-workers were partly covered, namely: Keith James (above his waist), Frencivaldo Santos (above his chest area) and Junior Daniels (just above his knees).

They were assisted by other workers and managed to free themselves without any injury.

However, Donald, who was taken out of the pit in an unconscious state and had an injury above his left eye, was rushed to Micobie Health Center after which he was immediately referred to the Mahdia District Hospital.

On his arrival at the Mahdia district hospital at about 15:02h, he was seen and examined by Dr. Clay who pronounced him dead on arrival.

The body was subsequently escorted via aircraft from Mahdia Airstrip to Ogle Airport, thence to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting post mortem.

Investigation in progress.