The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) of Antigua, alongside the Ministry of Health and the Environment, is in mourning following the tragic on-duty death of 29-year-old sanitation employee Okeen Lightfoot. Lightfoot lost his life on May 12, 2026, after an out-of-control motor bus veered off All Saints Road and pinned him against a parked vehicle, while he was performing routine grass-cutting work along the north shoulder of the highway. First responders pronounced him dead at the crash site immediately after the incident.
In an official condolence statement released to the public this Friday, NSWMA leadership paid tribute to Lightfoot, describing him as a deeply valued colleague and beloved friend to everyone on his team. The statement highlighted his consistent dedication, genuine kindness, and unshakable commitment to public service, noting that these qualities left an indelible mark on all who had the chance to work alongside him.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of our valued colleague and friend, Mr. Okeen Lightfoot,” the statement read. “His dedication, kindness, and unwavering commitment to service will be remembered and cherished by us all.”
The authority extended its deepest sympathies to Lightfoot’s family, friends, and loved ones, emphasizing that his legacy of dedicated public service will never be forgotten by the organization. The statement balanced the community’s shared grief with gratitude for Lightfoot’s life and the contributions he made during his tenure.
“Today, we stand together in grief—but also in gratitude for the life he lived and the impact he made,” the statement continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May they find strength, comfort, and peace in the days ahead. You will never be forgotten.”
In the wake of the fatal incident, Jamaica’s Health Minister traveled to the crash site to assess the situation and issued an urgent public appeal, calling on all road users to practice greater caution and responsibility on Antigua’s roadways to prevent similar preventable tragedies in the future.