RAMRAJ Challu, 69, of Lot 70 Resource, Canal No:2 Polder, West Bank Demerara, was killed after he and two employees were attacked and stung by a swarm of Africanised bees on Thursday morning, while tending his citrus farm.One of two survivors, Anand Etwaroo, 20, told this publication that it was before midday Thursday they had ventured out to the farmland via a boat to so some insecticide spraying; and they had just cut the engine and motor blower when suddenly a large swarm of bees descended on them.

He explained that they had no chance of escaping, since they were trapped in the boat. Consequently, they were all stung after which they managed to get out by the same boat to Canal #1 Polder and transported the father of two to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).

Challu, was also a contractor attached to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region 3 (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) and was tasked with clearing trenches and canals in the district.

Etwaroo said Challu had been conscious for sometime after they were stung, but by the time they reached the WDRH he became unresponsive and was pronounced dead.

The employee added that he and the other worker however, received treatment of injections and medications and survived.

He explained that when the bees attacked, there was little they could do to ward them and it was the first time that they had encountered the bees.

Etwaroo related that sometime ago some sugar workers had warned them about the bees and had cast them off by igniting a fire while they were working in the backlands of Canal #1 and 2 Polders.

He added that he had been working with Challu for about a year and his death came as quite a shock, the way it happened.

Challu was described as a very friendly person who befriended many and had liked to engage in chatting, and had been very much involved in his citrus farm, which extends from his property to several acres into the backlands.

It was reported that his children from his first marriage arrived in Guyana on Friday morning to oversee his funeral arrangements, while his second wife of two years was inconsolable and had very little to say.

Although his children refused to speak about their father’s demise, neighbours and spoke in glowing terms about Challu, who was liked in the community and among those whom he had encountered during work.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Julius Faerber told this publication that he learnt they were spraying insecticide at ‘A’ Sideline Canal # 1 Polder on the northern half using a motor blower when they were surrounded by bees.

He added that from his understanding of the incident, Challu and his employees jumped overboard after being stung.

Faerber added that Challu, who underwent heart bypass surgery sometime ago, began panting for breath and collapsed, after which he was taken to the WDRH where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
He stated that Challu, who returned to Guyana several years ago, was a very friendly person who was known to him for a long time and his demise came as quite a shock.