标签： Bahamas

The Bahamas has achieved a significant milestone in emergency medical infrastructure with the arrival of the first six specialized aviation ambulances in New Providence. This delivery marks the initial phase of a comprehensive initiative that will ultimately see approximately 50 such vehicles deployed across the archipelago.

The groundbreaking initiative stems from a strategic Heads of Agreement between the Bahamian government and the Bahamas Aviation Climate and Severe Weather Network (BACSWN). Through BACSWN’s alliance with Response Plus Medical (RPM), the Middle East’s premier pre-hospital care and emergency medical services provider, these advanced medical transport vehicles are being introduced to address critical gaps in the nation’s emergency response capabilities.

Initial deployments will prioritize Cat Island, San Salvador, and the MICAL islands, representing a transformative step in healthcare accessibility for remote communities. Each ambulance will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and enhanced safety features specifically designed for aviation operations and challenging island terrain.

Robert Dupuch-Carron, founder of BACSWN, confirmed the timely delivery, stating: “We committed to having these assets operational before Christmas, and through the exceptional support of Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil of Burjeel Holdings and Dr. Rohil Raghavan of RPM, we have fulfilled that promise.”

This ambulance deployment coincides with BACSWN’s parallel mission to establish the Caribbean’s inaugural NextGen Meteorological Watch Office. This advanced facility will feature real-time flight tracking capabilities, coordinated emergency response systems, and comprehensive meteorological monitoring across the nation’s 173,000 square miles of airspace.

The integrated initiative directly supports The Bahamas’ compliance with international aviation safety standards under the Chicago Convention and International Civil Aviation Organization requirements, ensuring safer commercial, cargo, and private aircraft operations within sovereign airspace.

The grieving family of Patrick Vernal Gibson, a 63-year-old retired customs officer killed in a devastating hit-and-run incident, is urgently calling for criminal charges against the driver responsible for his death. The tragedy occurred on December 9 at the intersection of East Street and Andros Avenue, where Gibson was struck by a vehicle traveling at high speed while crossing the road after visiting a convenience store.

According to police reports, the motorist dragged Gibson several feet before abandoning both the scene and the vehicle—a Honda Accord—which remained pinned on top of the victim. His sister, Rosemary Thompson, emotionally asserted that her brother might have survived had the driver not fled. ‘If he had stayed,’ she explained, ‘he could have reversed the car instead of leaving it crushing him. My brother might have been in the hospital today, not the morgue.’

Thompson discovered news of the accident online while in Florida, though she had been in The Bahamas on the night of the incident. Despite reassurances from acquaintances that the victim was not her brother, she received official confirmation of his death from police just one day later—cutting her trip short.

The family is now grappling not only with profound loss but also with unresolved questions regarding the driver’s swift release from custody. Although a suspect was detained for two days, he was released following legal intervention. Authorities indicated that the case must first go before a Coroner’s Court before any charges are filed.

Gibson, described as a sweet and loving man who was unmarried and childless, had shared a home with Thompson for nearly a decade. His other sister, Theresa Capron, traveled from Grand Bahama to New Providence following the incident, noting the profound impact of his death on their close-knit family. Both sisters highlighted Gibson’s cheerful nature and his quiet contributions to household chores and family life.

As the holiday season approaches, the family acknowledges that their celebratory plans have been shattered. Thompson solemnly stated, ‘We had plans, but I don’t see myself celebrating.’ They remain resolved in their pursuit of justice and accountability for Gibson’s untimely and tragic death.

A grieving mother in The Bahamas is challenging the official police narrative surrounding her son’s death in custody, demanding an independent autopsy and vowing to pursue legal action. Cheryl Larrimore’s son, Lasheiko Pratt, a 35-year-old mechanic with the Ministry of Works, died during a reported struggle with officers at the Fox Hill Police Station on Thursday morning.

Pratt had been detained for two days on burglary charges and was scheduled for a court appearance when the incident occurred. Authorities, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police Anton Rahming, stated that officers intervened after Pratt refused to leave his cell and became aggressive. ACP Rahming reported that four officers were ultimately involved in restraining and handcuffing him, during which the detainee became unresponsive. The police asserted that the force used was deemed necessary to subdue an aggressive individual.

Ms. Larrimore offers a starkly different account, fueled by profound distrust. Having identified her son’s body at the morgue, she noted an absence of visible bruises, which only deepened her family’s confusion and suspicion. She described her son as a “very nice, quiet person” and found the official story illogical, stating, “He gone in there, healthy, good as ever, and then come out in a body bag. That cannot be.”

The family’s distrust is compounded by the circumstances of how they were notified. Ms. Larrimore was already at the Magistrate’s Court expecting to sign bail for her only son when he failed to appear. She claims the police never contacted her about his death; she instead learned the devastating news through a social media post her daughter discovered.

This case marks the first in-custody death since the highly publicized February 2013 incidents involving Jamie Smith and Aaron Rolle, who died within 24 hours of each other. Ms. Larrimore also questioned the burglary charge itself, suggesting it stemmed from a longstanding and jealous dispute with a neighbor, not criminal intent.

With the family seeking justice and transparency, this incident raises serious questions about police accountability, custodial procedures, and the breakdown of trust between the community and those sworn to protect it.

A deeply personal familial conflict has escalated into a public legal confrontation in The Bahamas, pitting a high-ranking government official against his own cousin. Latrae Rahming, Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, has formally initiated legal proceedings through attorney Owen Wells in response to what he characterizes as persistent personal attacks originating from within his family circle.

The situation reached a critical juncture when Rahming issued a comprehensive statement indicating his legal team had been instructed to deliver cease and desist notices and commence judicial proceedings to legally restrain the involved parties. The government official expressed profound disappointment that family relations had deteriorated to this level, particularly during the holiday season.

In a striking juxtaposition to Rahming’s measured response, social media personality Britney Harris—identified as Rahming’s cousin—launched an emotional verbal assault through a widely circulated voice recording. Harris leveled serious allegations against her relative, accusing him of political hypocrisy and familial betrayal. She specifically questioned his consistent defense of politicians while allegedly remaining silent during previous online attacks against public officials and their families.

Harris further contended that Rahming had utilized law enforcement and legal mechanisms as political weapons while aligning himself with individuals who had previously targeted her and her husband. The social media commentator referenced substantial personal and financial support she claims to have provided Rahming prior to his governmental appointment, suggesting his current position had precipitated a dramatic shift in their relationship.

This familial dispute occurs against the backdrop of Harris’s existing legal challenges. Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis previously filed a criminal libel complaint against Harris through the same attorney now representing Rahming. That case involved allegations of defamatory statements regarding sexual misconduct published on Harris’s ‘Island Tea’ Facebook platform, which she consistently denied.

The converging legal and familial tensions highlight increasingly complex intersections between personal relationships, social media commentary, and political positioning in The Bahamas’ public sphere.

A resident of Andros has come forward with alarming allegations of police misconduct after being detained for over 24 hours without charge in connection with a missing firearm belonging to a sitting Member of Parliament. Zakari Campbell detailed his ordeal in a widely circulated Facebook post that has sparked significant public concern regarding power dynamics and equal application of the law.

The incident reportedly began during a Friday night gathering at Round Two bar, where the MP was present with several companions. According to Campbell, the establishment’s manager attempted to close around 2am, but the MP reportedly objected and signaled the DJ to continue playing music. The group remained for approximately another half-hour before departing.

Campbell emphasized that nothing appeared amiss during the evening’s conclusion: ‘Before leaving the establishment, there was no indication that anything was missing. No one expressed concern. No one searched. No urgency was shown. The night ended without any suggestion that a firearm or any other item was unaccounted for.’

The situation escalated dramatically on Monday when police officers arrived at Campbell’s workplace and took him into custody. He described the experience as particularly humiliating given his recent employment in a position involving substantial cash transactions. Police executed a search warrant at his residence in his mother’s presence but discovered nothing related to the case.

Only during interrogation did Campbell learn the missing item was allegedly the MP’s firearm—the first time he claims to have been informed of what exactly was being investigated. He maintained to officers that he had never seen the weapon in question.

Despite the absence of evidence, Campbell was detained in a cell without formal charges or explanation for over 24 hours. He was finally released at 4:50pm the following day after his mother intervened, reporting that he received no apology upon his release.

The case has drawn scrutiny from former North Andros MP Carlton Bowleg, who is related to Campbell. Bowleg has raised critical questions about whether the MP’s firearm was properly licensed, why the weapon was allegedly present in the bar establishment, and whether the MP himself faced police questioning. ‘The whole community is concerned as to why he even had a gun inside the place,’ Bowleg stated.

Law enforcement officials have remained silent on the matter, with Andros police referring inquiries to Chief Superintendent Sheria King, who declined comment. The MP allegedly involved in the incident has not responded to calls or requests for comment, leaving numerous questions unanswered as community concerns continue to mount.

A Nassau mother is confronting what she anticipates will be the most agonizing holiday season of her life following the brutal murder of her teenage son just weeks before Christmas. Shanique Griffiths, mother of 17-year-old Javaughn Deveaux, expressed her profound grief in an emotional interview with The Tribune, stating she doubts her ability to endure the coming days.

The devastating tragedy unfolded on December 8 when Deveaux’s body was discovered on a dirt road off Gladstone Road with severe injuries to his head and upper torso. The incident marked the nation’s 80th homicide for the year according to official records, with authorities subsequently charging a 15-year-old male in connection with the killing.

Griffiths recounted how she and her son had been actively planning Christmas portrait sessions mere weeks before his death—joyful preparations that have now become painful reminders of his absence. The grieving mother revealed that Deveaux had secretly planned to surprise her by introducing his girlfriend, a revelation she only learned after his tragic passing.

As the holiday approaches, Griffiths has abandoned all traditional celebrations. The mother of three, who also has daughters aged four and ten, described having no motivation for holiday preparations including hair appointments, nail treatments, or purchasing new clothing. She has requested solitude during the holidays, allowing relatives to take her daughters while she processes her immeasurable loss.

The bond between mother and son was exceptionally close, with Deveaux described as a gentle and supportive presence who consistently comforted his mother during stressful moments. The CI Gibson High School student was scheduled to graduate next year and aspired to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Griffiths poignantly recalled her son’s habit of reassuring her during difficult times, including recent words of comfort while she was hospitalized. The memory now serves as both comfort and anguish following his sudden death. The grieving mother noted that despite previous family losses, including a sister and grandfather, the pain of losing her child transcends all previous experiences.

The depth of her grief manifests in heartbreaking details throughout her home—particularly the uneaten food still waiting in the refrigerator that she prepared for her son’s return. Unable to discard these final remnants of his presence, Griffiths navigates what she describes as ‘the worst feeling ever’ while seeking justice for her murdered son.

Authorities in the Bahamas have initiated a comprehensive investigation following the death of a 35-year-old detainee during a physical confrontation with police officers at Fox Hill Police Station. The incident occurred yesterday morning as officers attempted to transport the man from his cell to a scheduled court appearance.

The individual, who had been held for two days on burglary charges, reportedly resisted officers’ efforts to remove him from his cell around 10am. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Anton Rahming, who addressed media outside the station, the situation escalated when the detainee became aggressive and refused to comply with instructions to proceed to court.

Initial attempts by two officers to restrain the man proved insufficient, prompting calls for additional assistance. During the subsequent struggle to subdue and handcuff the detainee, officers noted he suddenly became unresponsive. Emergency Medical Services were immediately summoned to the facility, but personnel pronounced the man deceased at the scene.

ACP Rahming emphasized that the force applied was consistent with standard procedures for managing resistant individuals, noting the detainee had demonstrated aggressive behavior earlier that morning. Preliminary observations revealed no visible injuries or signs of vomiting prior to the man becoming unresponsive. Police records indicated no known medical conditions, though this will form part of the ongoing investigation.

The coroner has been notified and a postmortem examination will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death. Authorities are also attempting to contact the deceased’s relatives while reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident. ACP Rahming confirmed that no medical personnel are routinely stationed at the Fox Hill facility.