Tree falls, kills two men in Mayaro

Two farmers died in Mayaro on Thursday after a tree fell on them as they were cutting it down to clear a parcel of land.

The deceased were identified as Nicholai Phillip, 27, and his great uncle Herbert Peters, 68, both of Taylor Drive, Radix Village, in Mayaro.

Reports are the two, together with two other men, Peters’ grandson Micah Peters and Deshawn Alfred, were cutting down a huge hog plum tree with a chain saw about three miles off Grand Lagoon around midday when tragedy struck.

While cutting the tree in the forested area, it suddenly burst into two and fell on Phillip and Peters. Both died at the scene. The two others escaped unhurt and alerted relatives and villagers.

Hunters Search and Rescue Team led by Vallence Rambharat, the police and fire officers were also alerted and went to the scene.

Rambharat told Newsday: "We got the call about 12.30 pm. The four men went to prepare the land to plant crops. The tree top broke off and fell on them."

ASP Jankee and Sgt Mohammed and other police visited.