Chen WESTERN BUREAU:
OFFICERS FROM the Civil Aviation Authority, Kingston, yesterday combed the helicopter wreckage and crash site at which Alfred Chen, JLP deputy general secretary, parish councillor and candidate for Trelawny South, suffered fatal injuries Wednesday night.
Mr. Chen was piloting his helicopter from Manchester to Trelawny after visiting the home of a friend when it crashed into the side of a hill in Lorrimers, about five miles from Albert Town.
Villagers reported seeing flames coming from the helicopter about 7 o'clock and explosions were later heard.
Eyewitness Donovon Walker told The Gleaner he was on his veranda when he heard the helicopter and saw a flash of bright light.
"Then me hear one loud sound like the helicopter drop a ground. Me run out a di house and tell the people them 'Mr. Chen crash! Mr. Chen crash!' Them never believe me...nobody would move because them think me was joking."
According to Walker, about an hour later, after walking for six miles into the woods of Lorrimers, they came upon fragments of the helicopter. They walked at least another mile before finding Mr. Chen slumped over a rock. Three sharp pieces of stick were on either side of him.
"My ribs are broken, my leg is broken, do not move me. Call the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) for me. Where is Hugh Gentles (a close friend)? I am going to die... Give me some water."
Several residents of South Trelawny forced their way through miles of thick, wet woodland with Mr. Chen on a sheet of zinc in a desperate bid to save his life.
Their efforts were short-lived however when Mr Chen raised his body, fell back onto the zinc sheet and gasped his final breath. "I am going to leave you. Tell the people of Trelawny I love them," Mr. Chen said.
In the wake of his death, there has been much outpouring of grief and sympathy for his family.
Edward Seaga, Jamaica Labour Party leader, said he was "deeply saddened" by the tragic passing of Mr. Chen.
In expressing sympathy to Mr. Chen's family, he described the businessman as a philanthropist, who was a "loyal party stalwart" and a "tower of strength" in the JLP.
Mr. Chen's political rival, Mrs. Doreen Chen (no relation), MP for South Trelawny, who narrowly defeated him in the last general election, expressed sympathy at his death.
Robert Pickersgill, chairman of the People's National Party, issued a statement expressing regret at Mr. Chen's passing. Mr. Pickersgill lauded Mr. Chen for his continued efforts at public service through the local government system even after losing the race to represent the constituency.
Bruce Golding, president of the National Democratic Movement, said Mr. Chen would be remembered for his philanthropy, kind-heartedness and love for Jamaica, as well as his contribution to public life as parish councillor and Opposition spokesperson.
Mr. Chen's helicopter crashed shortly after take-off from the Glastonbury district, South Trelawny, shortly after 7 o'clock. A search party led by Mr. Chen's close friend, businessman Hugh Gentles, found him shortly after, still alive but seriously injured. He was moved to a vehicle on a make-shift zinc stretcher, but died en route to the Percy Junor Hospital, Spaldings.
His political activities started in 1996, but Mr. Chen was perhaps better known for his business interests, which included ownership of the Dover Race Track, St. Ann and P.A.C Trucking, Mandeville.
The US-based manufacturers of the Bell helicopter that went down with Mr. Chen, will be sending representatives to Jamaica to determine the cause of the crash, sources told The Gleaner yesterday.
The regular monthly meeting of the Trelawny Parish Council was cancelled as all six councillors who had turned up for the meeting broke down in tears.
When The Gleaner visited the area yesterday some persons were seen with pieces of black cloth pinned to their clothes as a sign of mourning for Mr. Chen.
