A Cabinet statement issued from the Office of the Prime Minister in Roseau on Tuesday night said the Dominican leader was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital Accident and Emergency Department by his security at 6:55 P.M. on Tuesday, January 6th 2004 having collapsed in his vehicle.

“The Prime Minister was at the time travelling to his home from work,” said the statement from Government’s Press Secretary, Mr. Sean Douglas.

The statement quoted Princess Margaret Hospital Medical Director, Dr. Irving Pascal as saying that “immediately upon his arrival cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated and a team of medical specialists and nurses led by the Consultant Anaesthetist continued intensive efforts to save him. At 7.55 pm, the Prime Minister of Dominica was pronounced dead.”

A post –mortem examination will be performed on Thursday 08, January 2004 to ascertain the precise cause of death. Mr. Charles was 49.