UPDATE: Father of one flung in the air after skidder wheel explodes

Regional Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus has confirmed that 17-year-old Urick Henry of Kwakwani was killed after the wheel of a skidder exploded and caused him to be flung several feet in the air before falling to the ground and receiving injuries about his body on Friday.

The incident took place at about 14:30 hours at a logging concession at Evening Creek which is located 300 miles up the Corentyne River. The operation is owned by the proprietor of Vishal Singh Sawmill at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne.

Singh told MTV News Update that he got the news on Friday evening at about 18:00 hours and immediately informed the police. Armed with the report, ranks were dispatched to the area where they retrieved the body and transported it out to the Skeldon Hospital to be examined. A post-mortem is expected to be done shortly to determine the cause of the death.

“We were told that one of the skidder tyre blow off and after the tire blow off, the guy pitch up in the air and he drop back, he drop back dead, so me nah know if he broke his neck or wah really happen”

When asked why the men informed him of the incident hours after it occurred, he explained that telecommunication services are a challenge in the area and the other workmen had to travel along the river to get signal in order to call and inform him of what transpired.

According to Singh, he remains committed to assisting the family where necessary during this time of grief.

Investigations are ongoing.