Trelawny baker dies from suspected generator fumes after Hurricane Melissa

A Trelawny baker who had been assisting residents in his community to charge their cell phones and other electronic devices during ongoing power outages in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa died tragically from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

The deceased has been identified as 40-year-old Gayan Dunbar, a father of five, of Market Street, Falmouth. His friend, who was also affected, remains hospitalised in serious condition.

According to reports, residents discovered the two men unresponsive inside a business establishment along Market Street around 7:00 a.m. on Thursday. It is believed that fumes from a generator, which had been operating inside the enclosed space overnight, caused their collapse.

"Looks like dem drop asleep with it on, or dem have it on in deh and it knocked dem," a woman from the community said, noting that the room had no ventilation to release the generator's fumes.

Residents said the men had been using the generator overnight to provide power for themselves and others following the hurricane.

The STAR team was at the Falmouth Hospital after 11:00 a.m. when police officers arrived with Dunbar's body, which was pronounced dead by a physician. His friend had been brought in earlier for emergency treatment.

A distraught sister of the deceased, Cordia Moulton, said she was devastated by the tragedy, describing her brother as inseparable from her and deeply loved by his family.

"Me heard di crying so me a say a somady dead, and mi spouse say calm down. Him go open the door and find him," she recalled.

"Him deh everyweh mi deh, no matter weh mi deh. I am hurting, but I have to be strong for my family."

Moulton added that their mother, who was recently hospitalised due to diabetes, has not yet been informed of her son's death, as the family fears the news could affect her fragile health.

Her spouse, Dwayne, who discovered the bodies, was visibly shaken.

"Me and dem up til 12 a charge people phone. A me open di door and see dem lying down on the ground," he said somberly.

Two young girls from the community, one with tears in her eyes, said the men had helped them the night before to charge their phones.

"Me cya believe him dead. He was always kind and very helpful," one said.

An elderly resident sitting outside the building described both men as beloved members of the community.

"It bad, very much, because we love dem. We coulda call dem fi do anything. They always willing, both of dem good person," she shared.

Another resident added, "Oh God, mi cry when me hear. A yesideh me and him and Hot Oil deh road."

- Tanesha Mundle

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