7-Y-O dies after gate weighing 250lbs fell on her

Kareena Persaud, a seven-year-old female student of Skeldon Primary School, resided at No. 77 Village Housing Scheme in Corriverton, Berbice, died following a tragic accident.

The incident occurred on Sunday, January 12, 2024, at approximately 20:30h at the Taj Mahal Hotel and Bar located in No. 79 Village, Corriverton.Police, in a statement, disclosed that Persaud resided with her aunt, Maharanie Ramnarine, a 40-year-old manager at the Taj Mahal Hotel.

Maharanie told cops that she had been caring for the child since she was four months old after the biological mother abandoned her. She then stated that she had been working for her uncle, Tejkumar Persaud (also known as Ravo), the hotel’s owner, for almost a year.

She moved from Essequibo and brought her niece (Kareena) to Berbice to care for her. They occupied a self-contained room at the hotel. About a week ago, she rented a house at No. 77 Village Housing Scheme, Corriverton, Berbice, but they spent most of their time at the hotel due to her job.

However, on January 12, 2025, at about 20:30h, Maharanie was closing the doors and preparing to retire to her room when she heard the child (Kareena) called out to her.

She turned around to find the iron gate had fallen on her niece— the child was lying on the ground with head injuries and bleeding. The child’s aunt screamed for help, and with the assistance of others, the gate was lifted off the child.

Police said the gate (sliding gate) is made of hollow-section metal and weighs about 250 pounds. The seven-year-old girl was rushed to Skeldon Public Hospital, where the doctor on duty pronounced her dead.

The police were notified and visited the hospital, where the body was found on a bed in the Emergency Room, wrapped in a sheet. A detective examined the body and observed a cut on the forehead. The scene was processed and photographed. Several CCTV cameras were identified on the building and will be reviewed by detectives.

Investigations are ongoing.