President and chief executive officer, CEO, of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, AAJ, Audley Deidrick, says he’s in dialogue with the operators of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay to have an ambulance permanently stationed on the grounds to respond to emergencies.
Shaloy Smikle reports.
Last Friday, 71-year-old Leroy Smith was set to return to Florida when he collapsed and hit his head at the St. James-based airport. Smith was in Jamaica for his brother’s funeral.
It’s reported that Smith, who was bleeding from the head, died at the airport while waiting for an ambulance. But concerns are being raised about the length of time it took first responders to attend to Smith.
The operators, MBJ Airports Limited, have a contractual arrangement with private hospital, Hospiten. In the arrangement, the private hospital is on call to provide ambulance services.
MBJ Airports said it took seven-minutes for medical personnel to respond. However one eyewitness, who tried to help Smith, says it took at least 20 minutes before help was in sight.
According to Mr. Deidrick, there are two categories under which airports must respond to emergencies that occur on the grounds.
Mr. Deidrick says while it is allowable under international standards to have an ambulance on call, the AAJ is seeking to have MBJ revert to permanent stationing of the emergency vehicles at the airport.
Mr. Deidrick says the AAJ will investigate the incident.
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