Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
TWO JAMAICAN farm workers died in Canada yesterday while another is in critical condition in hospital after being hit off their bicycles in Ontario.
The dead men are 54-year-old William Bell of Sandy River district in Kellits, Clarendon, and 39-year-old Desmond McNeill of Lennox Bigwoods district in Westmoreland. Hospitalised is 35-year-old Frederick Smith of Ticky Ticky, Coleyville, Manchester.
According to Chief Liaison Officer in Canada, John Wright, the three off-duty farm workers were riding their bicycles from the camp at Simcoe Town Centre when they were hit by a motor car from behind.
Labour and Social Security Minister Horace Dalley has expressed condolences to the families of the men. He said that the ministry would be providing counselling for the families and is in the process of making arrangements to have the bodies flown to Jamaica.
MINISTRY TO COVER FUNERAL EXPENSES
Family members of the injured man will be flown to Canada, according to the minister.
Mr. Dalley has sought to assure the families of the dead men that the ministry will cover all funeral expenses.
"Already we have instructed our lawyers in Canada to proceed with liability case against the motorist because it is quite clear from the initial reports from the police, the men were riding on their bicycles and they were hit down," he said.
Mr. Bell was on his sixth tour of duty while Mr. McNeill was a first-timer on the Ministry of Labour's Overseas Employment programme. Both men died leaving wives and children.
