Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

Ocho Rios, St. Ann:

The People's National Party (PNP) has suffered a major setback in its election campaign in South West St. Ann with the hospitalisation of its candidate, Glenville Shaw.

Yesterday, Shaw was at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Andrew receiving treatment for his leg which was fractured during a freak accident in his constituency on Tuesday night.

Reports are that Mr. Shaw was assisting in unloading lumber from a pickup truck to construct a platform in the Boro Bridge division when he attempted to climb on to the vehicle and fell and injured his leg.

He was taken to the Spaulding Hospital, then to the Mandeville Hospital, before being transferred to Kingston on the advice of his orthopaedic surgeon.

Definitely affect the campaign

Chairman of PNP region one Mark Campbell told The Gleaner yesterday that Shaw's absence will definitely affect the campaign in South West St. Ann, but he is still hopeful his organisation will reap success in the election.

"He is well known and well loved by the people in the constituency and his injury is even likely to earn some sympathy votes from Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters," Campbell said.

Campbell also gave assurances that the PNP has a competent campaign team that will continue the work in the constituency until Shaw is able to rejoin the campaign.

JLP candidate for South West St. Ann, Ernest Smith, said he was very sorry to hear about the injury suffered by his opponent.

Smith, who defeated Shaw in the 2002 General Election for the constituency, said he was still looking forward to another election campaign, run on the spirit of friendly rivalry, and is wishing Shaw a speedy recovery.

"He and I share a very cordial relationship over the years, both before and after we became political opponents," said Smith.

He added that he intends to visit Shaw in hospital before the end of this week.