The People’s National Party extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Clifton James, an engineer of Paradise Heights, Montego Bay, who died on Thursday after being struck and crushed by a truck while carrying out his duties along the Montego Bay bypass in St James.

Mr James was working on the bypass, a project meant to ease congestion and improve daily life for the people of western Jamaica, when the tragedy occurred. The circumstances that led to the incident remain unclear, and police have launched an investigation.

“A man went to work this morning to help build something for his country, and he did not come home,” said Mikael Phillips, Opposition Spokesperson on Transport. “No family should receive news like this. Our thoughts are with everyone who loved and worked alongside Mr James.”

The Party is calling on the relevant authorities to conduct a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr James’s death, and to review safety protocols on all major road and infrastructure worksites across the island. Every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of the day, and the PNP believes that accountability and stronger occupational safety standards are essential to preventing further loss of life on public works projects.

The PNP joins all Jamaicans in mourning this loss and stands ready to support measures that protect the men and women who build and maintain our national infrastructure.