Sascha Wilson and
Kellyann Lemessy
Within the space of three days, two men have been crushed to death by trees in the Mayaro/Rio Claro district.
In the latest incident, the body of 64-year-old Andrew Rampersad was found by his friend under a large tree trunk near his Navet Village, Rio Claro, home on Monday.
Guardian Media understands Rampersad was renovating his home at Jairam Trace, which has been in his family since the 1950s.
His relatives and friends were assisting him.
On Saturday, they decided to cut down a massive cedar tree about 30 to 50 feet tall near his home. However, the tree became lodged in a nearby mango tree, so they used a rope to try to secure it to the mango tree. Rampersad’s nephew, Marlon, who was helping him, told Guardian Media that a relative warned his uncle not to venture close to the tree.
“The last thing my cousin tell him is don’t stay below there, that house.”
However, Rampersad’s friend was tying his bison to graze on Monday when he passed by Rampersad’s house and called out to him. He got no answer. He then saw his body under the tree. Describing his uncle as humble, he said Rampersad never bothered anyone.
He said his uncle had no children and his wife passed away years ago.
In a similar incident on Saturday, 69-year-old Biche resident Anthony Morales died after being crushed by a tree he was cutting in Cadette Trace, Bristol Village, Mayaro.
Investigations are continuing.
