FORTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Merlene Calvin, of Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast, was accidentally chopped in the head yesterday.

It happened while she was hiding amongst weed in a drainage trench aback of the village, allegedly to avoid a beating.

Reports said the contractor, hired by the Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Administration to clean the waterway, was doing his work when he wounded the woman.

The man, Maniram (only name stated) said he was surprised to see her in the water and immediately pulled her out and rushed her to Suddie Hospital where she is now a patient.