A devastating workplace accident at Dominica’s Woodbridge Bay Port has claimed the life of a long-serving port employee, leaving the local maritime community in mourning. Forty-seven-year-old Otis Francis, a resident of Tarish Pit, suffered fatal injuries in the incident shortly after midnight on Friday, July 17, while he was part of a crew unloading cargo from a berthed vessel at the facility.
Preliminary law enforcement accounts confirm a shipping container fell onto Francis during the unloading operation. First responders pronounced him dead at the accident scene immediately after the incident, and the Dominica Police Force has launched a full formal investigation to document the exact circumstances that led to the fatal event and identify any contributing safety gaps.
Francis had built an eight-year career as a stevedore with the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA), the government body that manages the island’s key sea and air port infrastructure. In an official public statement released after the accident, DASPA’s Board of Directors, senior management, and all staff joined to pay tribute to Francis’s legacy at the port.
The statement highlighted that Francis consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, unwavering commitment, and a rigorous work ethic throughout his tenure. These traits, the authority noted, earned him widespread respect and sincere appreciation from colleagues, industry partners, and every stakeholder he interacted with during his years of service. His contributions to smooth port operations and the growth of Dominica’s maritime community will not be forgotten, the statement added.
“While no words can truly ease the pain of such a sudden and great loss, we hope the Francis family will find strength in the love and support of those around them and comfort in the cherished memories of his life and legacy,” the statement read. DASPA extended its deepest heartfelt condolences to Francis’s immediate family, extended relatives, close friends, and fellow port employees, joining the entire community in mourning and praying for peace and comfort for all those affected by the tragedy. May Otis Francis rest in eternal peace.