Update: 2 Jamaican farm workers released from hospital after deadly crash

The five Jamaican farm workers involved in a deadly motor vehicle crash in Canada this month all suffered head injuries, said the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

It further stated that, in relation to the four persons injured, two have been released from hospital. “We are awaiting further updates regarding the other two,” the ministry told The Beacon, adding that it has received a report from the Jamaica Liaison Service in Canada.

It also noted that Jermaine Boothe, a 42-year-old resident of Baptist district in Clarendon, died in the incident.

He was driving the vehicle that crashed on Potters Road near Norwich about 7 o’clock on the morning of July 9.

The labour ministry said: “It is reported that he (Boothe) lost control of an SUV in which he was transporting four other Jamaican farm workers. He sustained head injuries and died on the spot. The other four occupants of the vehicle also sustained head injuries. They were treated and stabilised at hospital.”

The labour ministry, in the meantime, confirmed an earlier report by The Beacon that its officers have visited Boothe’s relatives in Clarendon.

It explained: “Contact was made with the family via assigned social workers. Home visits were made on the same day [of the crash] to offer emotional support. Ministry policies and procedures were discussed with the family regarding compensation and the repatriation process. The ministry facilitates the processes to ensure compliance with both local and Canadian requirements.”

The labour ministry further said: “Social workers assess the [bereaved] family’s social needs to ensure that they have access to programmes such as PATH. Assistance will be provided to aid in the attainment of employment where applicable.”

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