Rescue Worker Recounts the Desperate Attempt to Save Trapped Man

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Despondent and disappointed – the best way to describe Abaconian volunteer rescue worker Andrew Pinder, who came to the Tonique Williams-Darling Highway accident site Thursday night after seeing images circulating on social media.

Andrew Pinder – Rescue Worker

“I’m also in this field, so being a fellow contractor, fellow operator, it touches home. So, any able and willing bodies that could come out and help. It’s just always great and an extra help.”

Pinder joined a growing throng of police, rescue workers and volunteers feverishly trying to get to the excavation operator, now trapped under a landslide of boulders and rocks.

The biggest – a 10 foot bolder bringing thousands of pounds on top of the machine, stuck in what could be described as an air pocket.

With time and air running out, Pinder and others held out hope for hours.

Andrew Pinder – Rescue Worker

“Because it happened before, it will completely enclose the machine, and it will be in an air pocket.”

Eyewitness accounts describe the desperation felt in the atmosphere.

Every rock and mounds of debris removed became an eminent danger to the rescue workers themselves.

Eventually, they reach the top of the excavator, and face the reality of the grim discovery of the dismembered victim.

The tragedy, described as a freak accident, is something no one could have foreseen.

Andrew Pinder – Rescue Worker

“When you’ve dealing with earth removal you’ve never sure. One fault tooth mark at the wrong place, and it can cause a mountain to fall down.”

“I don’t see anything that anybody could have done to prevent it. It’s just that the earth gave away.”

However, would a faster response time have made a difference ?

Police Press Liaison Chief Superintendent Sheria King could only say this:

“We’re looking into all of that, our investigation has just begun. We’ve uncovered the excavator, give us some time,” King said.

Despite everything, no amount of time it seems would’ve changed this very tragic outcome.