A routine workday turned tragic in Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, as 47-year-old Ragunandan Singh, known locally as ‘Roy’, lost his life in a devastating demolition accident. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, January 30, 2025, has left the tight-knit community reeling and raised urgent questions about workplace safety in informal construction settings.
At approximately 8:30 AM, Singh was engaged in his regular task of salvaging bricks from abandoned structures at Grant, Crabwood Creek. This work, which he often undertook to crush and sell materials for local yard construction, took a fatal turn when a massive concrete slab collapsed, trapping him underneath.
Police reports indicate that Singh was in the process of demolishing a concrete wall when a section of the floor, measuring roughly 10 feet by 12 feet, suddenly gave way. The immense weight of the collapsing structure left Singh with no opportunity to escape, resulting in catastrophic injuries.
Eliza Dhanmattie Stewart, Singh’s 78-year-old mother, shared that her son had departed their shared home at Lot 40 Grant 1803, Crabwood Creek, around 6:30 AM for what was supposed to be another day of work. Tragically, just two hours later, she received the devastating news of the accident.
Emergency responders arriving at the scene discovered Singh’s body motionless beneath the concrete slab. Despite rapid efforts to transport him to the Skeldon Public Hospital, Dr. Azeez pronounced Singh dead upon arrival, citing the severe nature of his injuries, which included multiple fractures and extensive bodily trauma.
This tragic incident has sparked serious concerns about safety practices in informal demolition work and the inherent risks of salvaging materials from abandoned structures. Local authorities now face mounting pressure to implement more stringent regulations and oversight for such activities, even when conducted on a small scale.
The accident has also brought to light broader issues of workplace safety in Guyana, particularly within the construction and demolition sectors. Industry experts are emphasizing the critical need for proper training, safety equipment, and thorough risk assessment procedures, even for tasks that may seem routine.
As the community mourns the loss of Ragunandan Singh, remembered by neighbors as a hardworking and friendly individual, his untimely death serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers present in everyday labor activities. The incident has prompted discussions about the necessity of community awareness programs regarding safe practices in construction and demolition work.
Law enforcement has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Witness statements have been collected, and authorities are examining whether any safety protocols were breached or if the structural integrity of the abandoned house had been properly evaluated before work commenced.
Singh’s body currently rests at the Skeldon Public Hospital Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination that may provide additional insights into the precise cause of death and potentially inform future safety measures.
As Crabwood Creek grapples with this loss, the incident serves as a somber call to action for improved safety standards and vigilance in all forms of construction and demolition work, regardless of scale. The community, while mourning, hopes that lessons learned from this tragedy will prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety of workers across all sectors.
