A tragic workplace incident has claimed the life of a 47-year-old longshore worker in Dominica, prompting law enforcement officials to launch a full probe into the circumstances of the fatality. The accident unfolded in the early hours of Friday at the Woodbridge Bay Port, located in Fond Colé.
Officials from the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA) were the first to confirm the fatal event, which occurred during overnight cargo handling activities at the facility. The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) later released an official statement identifying the deceased as Otis Francis, a resident of Tarish Pit.
Early findings from the ongoing investigation show the incident took place at approximately 12:30 a.m., as Francis was part of a team loading cargo onto the commercial cargo ship *Tropic Opal*. First responders confirmed that Francis suffered catastrophic, fatal injuries when a shipping container made impact with him during the loading process.
Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the port immediately after the emergency alert was received. Members of the CDPF’s specialized Crime Scene Unit arrived to process the site and collect physical evidence for the investigation. An on-call medical professional attended the scene shortly after, where they officially pronounced Francis dead.
Following the completion of initial on-site procedures, Francis’ remains were transferred to Lyndhurst Funeral Home, where they will be held until a scheduled post-mortem examination is carried out to confirm the exact cause of death.
In the wake of the tragedy, the CDPF has extended its formal condolences to Francis’ family, close friends, and coworkers at the port, noting that the investigation into the full context of the accident remains active. DASPA has also released a statement sharing its sympathy with the bereaved family, adding that the port authority is committed to cooperating completely with police and other relevant regulatory bodies throughout the investigative process. As of the latest update, police have confirmed that inquiries into the incident are still ongoing.