A grieving father from Guyana finds himself trapped in bureaucratic limbo on the island of Antigua, awaiting overdue autopsy procedures for his deceased son who perished in a tragic road accident more than two weeks ago. Brian Bristol arrived on the Caribbean island on November 24th, just four days after his 40-year-old son Brenton Bristol died when their vehicle collided with a horse along Friars Hill Road. While an inquest concluded last week, critical post-mortem examinations remain pending due to operational failures within the local medical system.
The distressed father revealed to Stabroek News that authorities have provided no formal communication regarding the unexpected delay, which sources attribute to a malfunctioning X-ray machine required by local protocol before autopsy proceedings can commence. Mr. Bristol has explored alternative options including private medical services but has received no response to his inquiries regarding expedited solutions.
Brenton Bristol, a long-term Antigua resident and dedicated employee at Sandals Resort, died instantly at the accident scene. The driver, identified as a close family friend, survived with significant head injuries while the involved horse also succumbed to impact wounds.
The elder Bristol, a former Guyana Defence Force officer currently residing in the United States, expressed profound feelings of helplessness as bureaucratic hurdles prevent the issuance of an official death certificate required for his son’s body to be released and repatriated. Local regulations additionally mandate that a family member must be present during autopsy procedures, further complicating the emotional and logistical challenges.
Despite occasional communication from local police authorities, no concrete timeline has been established for resolving the technical issues. The frustrated father pleaded for transparency: ‘We cannot continue sitting in uncertainty. Please provide us with actionable information.’
Mr. Bristol acknowledged the supportive efforts of Sandals Antigua staff members and both Guyanese and Antiguan community representatives who have assisted during his prolonged stay. The situation recently gained diplomatic attention as Robert Edwin Reis, Honorary Consul of Antigua and Barbuda for Guyana, has pledged to investigate the case following a weekend meeting with the bereaved father.
In a poignant conclusion, Mr. Bristol questioned whether the silence and delays would be tolerated if the deceased held citizenship from Western nations, emphasizing the need for improved cooperation within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) regarding cross-border citizen services and crisis management.