CLARENDON, Jamaica — A motorist is appealing for quicker response times from first responders following an accident on Saturday morning in which at least one person was seriously injured and left at the scene for approximately 45 minutes before an ambulance arrived.

The accident, which reportedly involved a hearse, occurred at the intersection of Glenmuir Road and the Williamsfield leg of the toll road in Clarendon about 8:30 am.

According to the driver of the hearse, he was heading toward Toll Gate when, upon reaching the traffic light, the other vehicle pulled out to make a right turn, leading to the collision. He said one person was injured.

Justice of the Peace (JP) Ian Dyke, who was the first to arrive at the scene, said the injured person, who appeared to be in the medical profession, remained on the ground for about 45 minutes before help arrived.

“I was on my way to St Elizabeth when, upon reaching the intersection of Glenmuir Road and the Williamsfield leg of the toll road, I saw a person on the ground, who seemed to be a medical professional. I called the police emergency 119 number, and I didn’t see anyone for about 10-15 minutes. I then called the ambulance service, and it took about 45 minutes for the ambulance to arrive and assist the person was in serious pain,” Dyke recounted.

The injured person being loaded into an ambulance following a collision in Clarendon.

Dyke is appealing to the Government for more resources to help improve ambulance response times.

“It hurts because I could be in this situation and that length of time to me is not good. We need more resources, we need quicker responses to these kinds of accidents. The person could be there on the ground and died so I’m imploring the government to do better because quicker response time is needed. I’m appealing for quick response to these incidents,” the JP urged.

Dyke, a retired member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), also noted that many people are not familiar with that particular section of the road and is urging caution when using it.

“The roads are developing, more infrastructure is being built so the medical response teams need to be upgraded. More caution needs to be taken when persons are leaving minor roads onto major roads, they need to pay attention and observe the stop signs to avoid any form of accident,” he said.

The driver of the hearse, who declined to give his name, also alleged that the traffic light in the area was not working at the time of the collision. He claimed that the light is faulty and often inoperative.

“Maybe about 15 minutes after the accident I realised the light wasn’t working. I passed here more than one occasion and the light wasn’t working, it is faulty. I think if the light was working, both parties would have noticed. I have been driving for over 30 years so I’m not surprised so I’m just shocked the other person didn’t stop,” he said.