Councillor Patrick Forrester, who represented the Petersfield Division for the People’s National Party (PNP), died on Wednesday afternoon in an automobile accident along the Whithorn main road.
Reports are that about 3:00 p.m., the vehicle in which Forrester was travelling drifted off the roadway and crashed into a house. His son, who was also in the vehicle, sustained serious injuries and remains in critical condition in hospital. Police have not yet confirmed who was driving at the time of the crash.
The news has sent shockwaves across the parish. Fellow councillor Julian Chang, who represents the Savanna-la-Mar Division, described the tragedy as devastating. “Everyone is in shock at the moment. I never thought that I would be in an accident,” he said, visibly shaken.
The PNP, in a statement, said it was “deeply moved” by the sudden loss. Party President Mark Golding hailed Forrester as “a humble servant who put people before himself,” adding that his legacy would live on in the lives of those he served.
General Secretary Dayton Campbell remembered Forrester as “accessible, reliable, and highly respected,” noting that his death leaves “a huge void, not only in Westmoreland, but throughout the movement.”
Dwayne Vaz, Member of Parliament-elect for Westmoreland Central, also expressed grief, describing Forrester as both a colleague and a brother. “The Petersfield Division lost a champion and I lost a brother. We will continue the work to which he dedicated his entire life in order to honour his memory,” Vaz said.
The PNP extended condolences to Forrester’s family, friends, co-workers, and constituents. Police investigations into the crash are ongoing.
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