Third Moneague College fumes victim dies

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer 

The third victim of the Moneague College septic tank noxious fumes incident has died.

Beresford Gordon, 46, of a Church Pen Road address in Spanish Town, St Catherine, died this morning at the St Ann's Bay Regional Hospital after being admitted in an unconscious state yesterday.

Gordon's coworkers from Central Cesspool, Kirk Kerr, 46, of Shelter Rock, Spanish Town and Joslyn Henry, 56, of Rivoli, Spanish Town, both died yesterday after being knocked unconscious by noxious fumes coming from a septic tank they were cleaning at the college.

It is reported that after pumping the waste from the tank, one worker went in with a shovel to dislodge hardened waste matter.

However, he was severely affected by the fumes, prompting one coworker at first, then the other, to descend into the tank to assist but both also got into difficulties.

The police were called and with assistance from Jamaica Defence Force personnel from the nearby Moneague training camp and firemen, the men were retrieved.

Kerr and Henry died at the scene while Gordon was rushed to hospital.

He passed away early this morning.

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