WRHA boosts security at Sav-la-mar hospital, provides transportation for workers

With tension still lingering, the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) has moved to provide transportation for health workers at the Savanna-La-Mar hospital in Westmoreland following a fiery protest by residents yesterday.

Chairman of the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Calvin Brown, announced the measure after a meeting between the police and health officials yesterday. He also said security of the hospital would be bolstered to ensure the safety of employees and patients.

He said the WRHA was monitoring the situation closely to ensure a speedy return to normal operations.

Angry residents, who accused the police of killing 43-year-old Ricardo Sinclair and his 18-year-old son Ajani, staged a protest at the hospital. The residents fire-bombed the ambulance, which was not in service, and a police vehicle. A building containing old records was also set ablaze.

The police have denied being involved in the men's death, saying, in a release issued through the Corporate Communications Unit, that the men were killed by unknown persons. They say police on patrol in the area responded to the incident after hearing the gunshots and Sinclair and his son were found with multiple gunshot wounds. The injured men were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.

The Independent Commission of Investigations is now investigating the incident.