CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - THE Cabinet of the Nevis Island Administration yesterday (Nov. 19) has agreed to a recommendation from the Ministry of Health to appoint an independent person to investigate the allegation of the late Wilson ‘Hawk’ Jones being denied treatment at the Alexandra Hospital and sent by boat to the JNF Hospital in St. Kitts.
A press statement from the Ministry of Health in Nevis stated that the Ministry is “aware of various news items touching and concerning the tragic death of Mr. Wilson Jones of Brown Pasture, Nevis and wishes to assure the Nevisian public that our hospital staff remain deeply committed to the care of our people and the provision of quality healthcare to all who call Nevis home”.
The Ministry also stated that the circumstances surrounding Jones’ death are being investigated to ensure the necessary information is factually ascertained and shared with his family and the public.
“To this end,” the statement read, “the Cabinet of the Nevis Island Administration has today agreed with a recommendation from the Ministry of Health, to appoint an independent investigator in this matter.”
The terms of reference would seek to have a full investigation undertaken of the circumstances surrounding Jones’ death and make recommendations where necessary to ensure that the process and procedures employed at the Alexandra Hospital concur with international best standards.
The Ministry took the opportunity to express sincere condolences to Jones’ Family.
According to a local media house, “Authorities at Nevis’ Alexandra Hospital are investigating reports that shooting victim Wilson ‘Hawk’ Jones was denied treatment and sent instead to St. Kitts by boat, where he succumbed to his injuries at the JNF Hospital.”
The media house stated that it understood Jones was refused treatment by a specialist because of an alleged violent confrontation that took place between them previously.
The media house further stated it learnt that ventilators in the operating theatre could have been used after surgery and the hospital also has handheld ventilators.
“Unable to convince the specialist to assist with Jones' treatment, other medical personnel contacted the surgeon in St. Kitts, who agreed to take him in at the JNF. At 2:00 in the morning, Alexandra staff was scrambling to find a boat operator to take Jones across the channel, and he was eventually rushed to Oualie Beach where he was transported via speed boat to St. Kitts along with EMS personnel and a nurse,” the media said.
The media house said that on Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 18) it contacted Gary Pemberton, Administrator at the Alexandra Hospital, and he told that entity Jones was given initial treatment when he was taken to the institution and it was then decided that in the “best interest of his continued treatment” he be transferred to the JNF Hospital.
Jones was reportedly shot just after midnight on Saturday (Nov. 15) in the vicinity of Hunkins Drive in Charlestown whilst in the company of a female. He was transported to the Alexandra Hospital and thence to the JNF Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
A post mortem examination was performed on Jones’ body yesterday (Nov. 19) by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Vladimir Alexandrov, who concluded that death was due to gunshot injuries to the chest.
