One worker killed at airport expansion site, one injured

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson has confirmed that there was an industrial death at the site of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project at Timehri earlier this afternoon.

The ministry’s Communication Officer Aneka Edwards subsequently told Stabroek News that she is currently awaiting information on the identity of the dead man and the time the incident occurred. She said the preliminary information is that several employees of the China Harbour Construction Company became trapped in a pit. The tragedy she said resulted in the death of one person and injury to another. The injured man is currently at the Diamond Hospital where he is a receiving treatment. His condition is listed as stable, she said.

Update: Police have identified the dead man as 23-year-old Lui Li.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure subsequently issued the following statement:

CHEC employee dies during collapsed pit mishap

Today, at approximately 10:40 am while working at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion site, a humus pit collapsed trapping two Chinese nationals – Engineers Zhang Yixun and Liu Li of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

Rescue efforts were immediately activated.

Unfortunately, Mr. Li died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Mr. Yixun, understandably traumatized, is now a patient of the said institution.

David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure, has asked that an investigation be launched into the incident immediately. CHEC is responsible for the health and safety of its employees on the work site.

The Ministry and CJIA’s management extend their condolences to the family of Mr. Li.