ST JAMES, Jamaica— MBJ Airports Limited, operators of the Sangster International Airport (SIA), has sought to clarify the recent reports of the series of events which occurred after a 71-year-old man fell and hit his head, before dying at the airport last Wednesday.

Media reports following the tragedy identified the deceased man as Leroy Smith, a Westmoreland native who was visiting from Florida for a funeral. It is reported that he died while he was checking in for his return flight.

An alleged eyewitness recounted the incident saying that when she saw Smith fall to the ground, she ran to his assistance. She was reportedly soon joined by an airport official who, the eyewitness said, seemed more concerned about who would pay to have Smith transported to hospital by a private ambulance.

She further stated that Smith was on the floor of the airport for approximately 30 minutes, bleeding from a wound on his head, before a nurse showed up, but he ultimately passed away.

In a news release on Tuesday, MBJ Airports Limited refuted the claim that payment is required for ambulance services during an emergency.

“Firstly, we wish to emphasise that there is absolutely no policy or requirement for payment for ambulance services by a passenger during an emergency situation at Sangster International Airport,” MBJ Airports Limited said in the release.

It added that there is a medical facility at the airport, based on a contractual arrangement between MBJ Airports Limited and Hospiten, a private hospital in Montego Bay, St James.

The agreement outlines medical services offered at the airport, which includes a nurse’s station in the terminal and the provision of on-call ambulance services, the release stated.

“The nurse, in assessing a medical emergency or based on information provided, makes a determination if the patient will require further medical attention, including making the request for an ambulance. These arrangements are in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization standards and are part of a comprehensive emergency response plan which is regularly reviewed and tested with other stakeholders,” MBJ Airports Limited said.

The release further stated that the collapse of the passenger was not due “to any type of slip-and-fall, or other type of accident on airport premises.”

To further refute the claims made, MBJ Airports said that it reviewed the CCTV footage at the airport and provided a timeline of events “in the interest of transparency”.

“On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 11:12 am, the Airport’s Operations Centre was alerted that a passenger had collapsed initiating the airport’s emergency response.

“Within one minute, Hospiten was contacted, and the Hospiten duty nurse indicated they were en-route to the scene. Contrary to media reports, the Hospiten duty nurse arrived at the scene six minutes after being contacted to attend to the passenger.

“At 11:15 am and for the next 13 minutes, the Airport’s Operations Centre called for an ambulance. They contacted the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) arm of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) and subsequently the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), both of which proved unsuccessful. Contact was made with Hospiten’s Ambulance Service at 11:28 am, which arrived within twelve (12) minutes,” MBJ Airports outlined in the release.

It added: “We want to emphasise that during this time, Hospiten personnel were onsite delivering care to the passenger. They administered CPR and all appropriate lifesaving measures, including the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). At no time was the passenger left unattended or without medical care once the Hospiten personnel arrived.”

MBJ Airports Limited stated that it is committed to continuous improvement to passenger safety and care, and as a result a thorough review is done following each instance of emergency response.

It went on to offer condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.