AN excavator operator is dead after he got trapped when the machine fell into the sea in Marovo, Western Province on Saturday.
Initial report said, the tragic accident occurred after the excavator slipped into the ocean and submerged under water.
It subsequently claimed the life of the operator employed by Fairtrade Company.
The company is owned by Member of Parliament (MP) for Marovo, Hon. Amoi Chachabule.
It was revealed the deceased was operating a long-boom excavator on ‘Opopiti’ Island in Ward 21, Buintusu. The island is owned by the MP.
According to eyewitnesses, the operator had been digging and clearing the seaside area in the morning for a ramp to enable the Fair King landing craft to berth properly at the site.
Its understood that while taking a short rest inside the excavator, seawater gradually washed away the soil and rocks beneath the machine, causing it to tilt forcing excavator to slip into the sea.
“We saw the excavator slowly move toward the water, and the operator was still inside the cabin with the seat belt on, appearing to try to save and the machine instead of escaping,” one eyewitness told the Solomon Star.
Within minutes the machine slipped into sea with the operator trapped inside.
The machine had overturned with its door side facing the shallow part of the water, making it nearly impossible for the operator to quickly escape.
Witnesses said several attempts were made to rescue the man immediately after the excavator submerged, but the efforts proved difficult due to the murky and deep water.
Another excavator was reportedly used to try and pull the submerged machine, but the task was too challenging.
The excavator was also entangled in nets, further complicating rescue efforts.
Deep-sea divers from Uepi Resort were called in and managed to recover the body from inside the excavator about five hours later around 3pm Saturday afternoon.
The excavator is now sitting at the bottom of the sea.
The deceased left behind a wife and a child.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
