BREAKING NEWS: Man falls off building in Portsmouth, dies

The incident took place in Lagoon, Portsmouth

A man has died after he fell off a building in Lagoon, Portsmouth earlier on Tuesday, January 24.

Reports are that the man was working on the roof of the three-storey building when he fell.

Emergency crews were called but it was too late and reports indicate he was declared dead.

DNO will provide further information on this incident when it becomes available. 

 

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42 Comments

  1. Neg
    January 26, 2017

    He was my friend and once co worker, it is very sad.

  2. God bless Dominica
    January 25, 2017

    Harness on a roof?huh? I don’t leave in Dominica but I have never really saw anyone working on a roof with harness. ..I guess it depends on how high the building is and the type of roof….But it all comes with taking precautions and wearing the proper shoes…..please people when working on a roof please wear the proper shoes buy shoes that says slip resistance when working on roof tops.

  3. January 24, 2017

    Today was a bad day. Rest In peace.

  4. The Truth Be Told (Original)
    January 24, 2017

    How sad. Imagine working and this occurred to him. Consider how he felt when he was falling from the building and landed on the ground. During that time, he experienced anxiety and pain, realizing the probable inevitable. How he mentally and physically suffered. The poor man.
    Working in construction, on a roof, he should have been wearing, a hard hat, a harness/construction strap and whatever else it is called including, construction boots and gloves.
    Hope the government looks into this. May there never again be such an accident and death.
    My sincere sympathy to his family. May God console your grieving heart.
    Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
    May his soul rest in peace. Amen!

  5. mine
    January 24, 2017

    So very sad it breaks my heart to hear of another life is gone from falling on a roof. They should have better safety measures for the contractors unless someone is held accountable it will continue happening.

  6. johnny
    January 24, 2017

    A bunch of empty barrels……we know the dangers of the job. It’s up to the individual to wear the correct PPE ( personal protective equipment)

  7. Blaster
    January 24, 2017

    Not long one fell from a building AT picard portsmouth and died .

  8. Roger Burnett
    January 24, 2017

    I am deeply saddened. This gentleman was kindness personified.

    Two years ago, when my wife lay seriously injured in hospital, my pick-up broken down and I was stranded outside Astaphan’s with a week’s shopping, I stopped him at random and asked if he could give me a lift to a bus stop. Without hesitation he came to my rescue. But rather than stop at the bus stop he drove me all the way to Antrim. More recently, we have worked on projects together.

    My heart goes out to his wife and family.

    • The Truth Be Told (Original)
      January 26, 2017

      He was indeed a kind person, taking you all the way to Antrim.
      He is the typical person Our Lord Jesus Christ meant when he said: “If someone asks you to go one mile, go two miles.”
      God took note of his kindness and all others. He does not overlook kindnesses. As the words of a religious song: “Jesus never forgets.”
      God bless his soul.
      It is sad for his family and all those who knew him.
      I told a friend about what occurred to him. She and her family are originally from the Portsmouth area. She said she will telephone one of her family in Portsmouth to find out about him.
      Someone mentioned his name on DNO. Her family has the same name. I have not heard from her. I will telephone her on Friday.

  9. jody
    January 24, 2017

    Two or three years ago a gentleman fell from a three storey building which was under construction in Picard,Portsmouth. Here again it happens in Lagoon, Portsmouth. Up to this time there isn’t any legislation for safety for construction workers. Policy makers (THE GOVERNMERNT) and their friends are more engaged in making monies from sale of PASSPORTS

  10. January 24, 2017

    safety and hazard in the work place should be a mandatory law and be enforce by some one holding the position of safety officer. condolences to the family and friends of the decease .

  11. nonamegal
    January 24, 2017

    very sad. RIP

  12. bigger
    January 24, 2017

    Construction work is dangerous and it’s up to the individual to use protective gear. Legislation will not stop people taking chances. Take a look at seat belts for motorist and Helmets for motor cycles I have seen cyclist riding with no helmets and have a child seating infront of them with no protection. I am asking should something happen who is to blame? Government? One must take full responsibility for their actions

    • is dat self
      January 26, 2017

      ENFORCEMENT of the legislation is what is important.

  13. pwell
    January 24, 2017

    I have been on island for a couple years now screaming occupational health and safety.I work with a construction company and sometimes i just close my eyes and hope nothing happens.This is madness.Remember the concrete floor caving in last yr that was supported by BAMBOO.If u cannot be safe try not to be sorry.A simple piece of rope tied to waist and secured to building (local harness)would have saved his life.It is time for some kind of measure be put in place and be ENFORCED.

  14. Concerned Dominican
    January 24, 2017

    This is sad, RIP.

  15. only time will tell
    January 24, 2017

    when I move back to Dominica and would talk to some people about safety they laugh and say that safe man! we safe!

  16. January 24, 2017

    My condolences go out to this family as I grieve with you and pray for you.

    This is news that tugs at my own heart. My father who is now with the Lord was an interior and exterior painter. I never expressed to him my appreciation as I ought to have while I was growing up but he was my hero. His work required him to take great chances but he did it well with the skill of a master tradesman without ever complaining. I remember how afraid I was when I looked at him near the top of a very long extension ladder doing a paint job. I could not bear to watch and had to turn away.

    Since those days I am always afraid when I see men working on a ladder or the roof of a house. Yet these jobs must be done. Thank God there are men who can and will do them. I share the feelings of those who
    insist every care should be taken to assure the safety of the workers. Gentlemen, please be careful. And take care of yourselves and one another.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.

    • January 24, 2017

      A tragedy like this is unexpected. It does not have to be unprepared for.

      It serves to remind us that for each one of us the earthly journey will end. It may be an accident, an illness, or simply old age.

      The Bible says *Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.* (Acts 16:31)

      This means to believe He DIED for our sins on the cross and ROSE AGAIN to show the debt was paid and the Father is satisfied :!:

      Please read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 1:16.

      This gives us the forgiveness of our sins, peace with God, and a home in Heaven :!: It prepares us for the moment our time comes :!:

      God said it.
      I believe it.
      That settles it :!:

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  17. papa
    January 24, 2017

    Rip

  18. Pained
    January 24, 2017

    Occupational Health and Safety needs to be a top priority. What a horror for any family to endure. I pray God’s comfort, strength and peace.

  19. morine
    January 24, 2017

    To the family and friends of bro lewis I sympathize with u all on your loss.
    To dno he is not from Bellevue he is from dubic.

  20. Favour upon you
    January 24, 2017

    oh oh, my little friend… you will surely be missed. Comfort to the family of the deceased…. I know your little grand child will miss you dearly……. Word of caution to contractors, please wear a harness at all times for buildings that are way off ground, you can save lives……

  21. Tony Le Blanc
    January 24, 2017

    When, when will another man not fall to his death with no one held accountable? When, when will we have legislation and systems in place to hold owners of projects and the managers and professionals in the Construction sector responsible for such deaths??? Just when will a life have enough value and meaning to our legislators and regulators in government? When, when will a wife, daughter, son, brother, mother or father not loose a relative in such unnecessary and gruesome way? When will those who has been voted to do something care? When will civil servants who are employed to ensure that there are systems in place care? When will our national budget cater for adequate regulatory staff and when will fiscal incentives promote workplace safety. When will every project owner and contractor care enough? when? When? When it hits home, when it is THEIR relative – Lord I pray that they won’t feel that pain before we all care more and make occupational health and safety second nature!!

    • Sorry
      January 24, 2017

      Now that you’re getting the contracts, I hope you will challenge those who gave it to you, to enact legislation to curb/address all your questions/issues.

    • Sylvester Cadette
      January 24, 2017

      Well said Tony. This is so important to the construction industry and the well-being of all. Legislators must take this up as a matter of urgency. The regulators (if functioning) must work closely with the Construction Sector and jointly present proposals for draft legislation to address occupational health and safety in that sector. Maybe we can obtain sample legislation in similar jurisdictions that are working and build on it. We need not re-invent the wheel.
      So many things that are not necessarily hard to tackle – we simply need the will power to start. We know that there are institutional frameworks and regulations that accompany these changes together with HR and other financial costs but TRAVELER THERE ARE NO ROADS; THE ROADS ARE MADE BY WALKING.

      Maybe additional staffing is necessary for the Attorney General’s Office and other resources but it does not negate the fact that they with legislators must now go into overdrive to address the myriad of legislative issues.

      • Truth Knowledge
        January 24, 2017

        Whilst the call for legislation has merit, let’s not delude ourselves that this will eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on construction and industrial sites. The greatest safety measure is normal inherent caution. Sadly, occasionally, something will go wrong. The truth is that empirical evidence from jurisdictions with such legislation shows that frequently the very people the legislation is intended to protect are the ones most vociferously opposed to it, even, in some instances, very resistant to adhering to the safety measures.
        Nevertheless, one person lost is one too many and any action that can be taken to reduce or eliminate other such losses should be.
        Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the deceased.

    • Shaka Zulu
      January 24, 2017

      Pressure your parliamentary Rep until he takes it up the chain. Bust the chain from the weakest link. Too much attention placed on one man while those MP s sit quietly in background. This is not the first in Possi. Electrocution, falls, etc. This is sad.

    • kingman
      January 24, 2017

      why can’t the industry not self regulate, what is the role of the builders and contractors association in this, do we need government involvement in everything that we do.

    • Just Passing Through
      January 24, 2017

      Isn’t there also a builder’s association that teach all builder’s how to protect themselves and how what to wear and not what to wear and precautions they should take?

      This is a sad to thing to have happened to anyone, my sympathy to the family of the deceased. May his soul rest in peace. We have not even heard why the man fell. Was he ill? Did he suffer a heart attack? Did he slip? Was he wearing a hard hat and construction shoes? Was he strapped securely?

      Always when something like that happen we come and see who we can blame; is that any comfort for a grieving family? I fail to see what voting have to do with that except you are referring to the voting in the building association executive.

    • Hope
      January 24, 2017

      i guess when workers care enough to refuse to carry out unsafe practices on job sights

    • Crapo
      January 25, 2017

      Import duties on Personal Protection Equipment are unbelievably high. A legislative change on this is a must.

    • dayandnight vision
      January 25, 2017

      When, when will Tony Leblanc provide occupational health and Safety gear for his workers on his projects? DNO don’t delete

  22. papa
    January 24, 2017

    Safty that’s what housing should be looking for where was his herness

    • shay
      January 24, 2017

      This is what I was thinking. We need to be safe rather than sorry. He should have a Harness!! And IF he was working for a company, this company needs to be fined and held accountable because they need to ensure the safety of their employees

    • freegid tree
      January 24, 2017

      His what? your highness? :lol: :lol: :lol:

  23. Child of Grace
    January 24, 2017

    Oh dear Jesus! Peace to his family. The kind of news no one wants to hear. Rest in peace sir.

  24. Me
    January 24, 2017

    May God have mercy on his soul! do we have safety regulations, a code in Dominica to make sure that workers are properly protected. that to me is just as important as gender affairs, if not more so.

    • Sip It!
      January 24, 2017

      I completely agree that worker safety is a top priority for any country that’s very neglected in Dominica… but I don’t see your need to put down gender affairs to prove that

      • The Truth Be Told (Original)
        January 24, 2017

        It is not a matter of putting down gender affairs. In any case, how important is gender affairs when considering saving a life and many at that? Based on what I know about this “gender affairs”, Dominica could do without it.
        They must stop adopting the practices of those enterprises which originate in progressive countries. They will never divulge how they truly and fully operate underneath. They offer funding just as Planned Parenthood but there is a catch to it and how they operate behind the scenes.
        If you reside in a so-called progressive country, hearing and reading about them and being broadminded, you will comprehend what they do and propagate.
        I second it that safety of employees is much more important than gender affairs.

    • Mango dou
      January 24, 2017

      No one putting down gender affairs, you are too sensitive. The blogger said safety at work is as important and I agree.

  25. January 24, 2017

    Harnes should ve a must in Dominica also gard hats to many times we have contractors woeking with no type of safty. May you rest in peace. May your family get the comfort in the mist high.

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