An Isipingo machine operator who watched his twin brother die after he was trapped and crushed in a dye-cutting machine is having difficulty living with the constant nightmare.
Darendra Ramgarib, 21, of Pelican Drive, Lotus Park, was horrified on Friday morning when he saw his brother, Damendra, a sample cutter and designer for Polytechniques Stationery, got trapped in the dye-cutting machine. He subsequently died.
The nightmare incident began while Damendra was checking the dye-cutting machine, which was having a problem.
Said Darendra: "He reached into the machine to see why the machine's blades were malfunctioning. He was leaning over the blades when the machine's plate closed, trapping his upper body inside.
"I was only three metres away and was stunned to see my brother trapped in the machine. I screamed and the manager on site tried to release the plate by pressing the cutting button. However, it opened slightly and compressed again.
"Another manager eventually opened the plate manually and Damendra was taken out and laid on the floor. The paramedics were called in but certified him dead."
Ever since the incident Darendra has been plagued by recollections of the incident.
"Not a day goes by without me seeing my brother trapped in the machine. As twins we were inseparable and we did everything together. Watching him die was a traumatic experience."
He said there had been problems with the machine in the past and someone had been injured yet it had not been fixed. "This tragic incident could have been prevented," he added.
Darendra said they had loved doing things together, like fishing, and his brother had planned to get his driver's licence and study commerce.
Spokesperson for the Palm Group of Companies, Aradhana Pattundeen, said in a written statement: "We confirm that employee Damendra Ramgarib was a competent and fully trained operator of a dye-cutting machine. The accident occurred when material was unloaded from the machine and the operator investigated to check that everything was cleared.
"He bent down and slipped into the machine, resulting in his upper body becoming trapped. He sustained serious injuries.
"Paramedics and the fire department were called for assistance and he was pronounced dead."
Pattundeen said an investigation had been conducted and the incident was not as a result of mechanical failure. She said the machine was in good working order and complied with all of the prescribed safety regulations.
According to communications officer for Isipingo police, Sergeant Pam Kisten, Damendra Ramgarib died after he was pulled into the dye-cutting machine and crushed to death.
She said an inquest docket had been opened and they were awaiting post-mortem results.