By: Emmanuel Koffa
A 15-member coroner jury in Grand Kru County has ruled that a 42-year-old miner died as a result of drowning, following an incident at a mining site along River Noh.
The deceased, identified as Nani Toe of Buah Geeken, reportedly went missing on Friday, February 27, 2026, while working aboard a mining boat in Kanta Village.
Police said they were officially notified on Saturday, February 28, 2026, by authorities of the Barclayville Mining Agency.
A team led by Superintendent Leon Q. Acquah, Commander of the Crime Services Division (CSD), immediately launched an investigation.
According to statements gathered by investigators, Toe had been working with a colleague, Joe George Carl, 29. Carl told police he briefly left the mining boat after experiencing severe stomach pain. Upon returning, he said he could not find the victim and raised alarm.
The boat owner, Stanley Jappoe, later confirmed that Toe had been assigned to work on his vessel at the time of the incident.
Search efforts resulted in the recovery of the body from beneath the river on Saturday. In keeping with legal requirements, a coroner jury was assembled to determine whether the death involved foul play.
After examination, the jury found no signs of violence and concluded that the cause of death was drowning.
Police confirmed that, despite the jury’s ruling, both the coworker and the boat owner were taken into custody after being informed of their constitutional rights, as investigations continue.
Authorities say the case remains under review to ensure all circumstances surrounding the incident are fully established.