—co-worker reportedly turned on machine unaware teen was inside
An 18-year-old labourer at Forrester Lumber and Building Complex is battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after a co-worker turned on a Cement Mixer unaware that he was inside the machine cleaning it.
Police said in a release that around 15:45hrs on Friday Doctor Smart from the Leonora Cottage Hospital, called the Leonora Police Station and requested a rank to come to the said institution, in relation to an injured patient who gave his particulars as Ricardo Nandlall, an 18-year-old labourer of Lot 46 South De Kinderen Line-Top, West Coast Demerara.
As a result, W/Cpl. #22682 Rhobe and D/Cpl. #18751 Rockcliffe and other police ranks went to the Leonora Cottage Hospital. On arrival, Ricardo Nandlall was contacted in the Accident and Emergency Department where he was observed to have an injury across his abdomen with his intestines protruding. W/Cpl. Rhobe made attempts to interview him but he was not responsive.
As a result, the ranks proceeded to his worksite which is the Forrester Lumber and Building Complex located at Stewartville, West Coast Demerara. On arrival there, contact was made with the proprietor, 47-year-old Andrew Forrester. He was interviewed by W/Cpl. Rhobe and he related that on 2022-03-04, at about 15:15 hours, Ricardo Nandlall went into the Cement Mixer to have same cleaned and in the process, a 22-year-old ‘Mixer Operator’ was unaware that Nandlall was inside the said machine and he turned on same, causing Nandlall to receive injuries to his abdomen and he started to scream.
As a result, several co-workers went to Nandlall’s assistance and pulled him out of the Mixer. They then placed him into motor pick-up # GPP 7825, which was driven by a co-worker and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was treated by Doctor Smart. Nandlall was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted as a patient in a critical condition.
Up to press time police said the teen’s condition remained critical. The 22-year-old co-worker who turned on the Cement Mixer was detained by the police.
