ORMAN Amsterdam, a logger, was reportedly killed moments after a tree which he was cutting on Monday afternoon fell on him, at Basdeo Conservation, situated at Three Savannah, Canje River. The married father of three, who was said to be controlling the chain saw, had moments before the tragedy, told his gang members to ‘run’, as the forty feet tall tree, tumbled to the ground.
However, he got trapped, as the sawn tree was intertwined by vines to another, which had an unnoticed rotten base. As the tree fell, it created a ripple effect on the other trees, causing the decayed plant amongst others to fall in the process.
Cousin of the deceased, Cyril Amsterdam, who had worked with Orman for six years, said, after the tree fell, he heard the continuous running of the chain saw motor and, on returning to the scene, saw an injured Orman, who appeared to have suffered a fracture leg.
However, in an effort to remove him, the elder Amsterdam lifted his head when he observed that the scalp was partially cut off. As a result of what was seen, he took his water soaked jersey to tie the injured man’s head. By then, fellow workmate Martin Amsterdam, joined him. They then lifted the injured person carrying him on the half mile trek to the waterfront where, after boarding a 55 hp motor vessel, had intended to seek medical help some 90 miles away at Bara Cara. However, reports are that 12 miles into the journey, Orman Amsterdam died.
Cyril Amsterdam said they joined another vessel which was powered with a 75 horse power engine to continue their 30 mile journey to New Amsterdam where they arrived at 07:15 hrs on Tuesday.
The body is currently at Arokium Funeral home awaiting a post mortem examination.
The deceased is survived by his wife Iona, their children Odika, age 7, Tion age 4, and Narvin age 2, along with his mother, five brothers and three sisters.