Tragedy struck near Imbaimadai on Thursday evening after two members of a family, who fled their village to protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic, were killed by a fallen tree.

Dead is 54-year old Desiree John, a farmer, and her 9-year-old granddaughter Cindy John.Another of the woman’s granddaughter,Fauya John, sustained injuries but survived the incident.

The woman’s husband as well as her daughter, Romelia John, and a toddler also survived the incident.They escaped with minor injuries.

Reports are that around 18:30hrs on Thursday, the woman, her husband Benneth John along with their 21-year old daughter and three grandchildren were at a camp at their farm at Panduck Creek, Imbaimadai when tragedy struck.The family lives at Kambaru Village but moved to the area recently.

The family was in the main camp at the farm having dinner when a tree fell on the kitchen at the camp during heavy winds.Desiree and Cindy John were pinned by branches while the other members of the family survived the incident.

Benneth was able to move the branches and retrieve the bodies of his wife and granddaughters from the rubble.Cindy John was pronounced dead on arrival at the Imbaimadai Health Post today while the woman died around 11:30hrs.

The Johns left their home at Kambaru village for the farm located several miles away as a protective measure since a number of COVID-19 cases has been recorded in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region.

The incident is being investigated by the authorities.