Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
Correctional officer Hartford Kerr speaks with his 'good Samaritan' Dr. Kurdell Espinosa. Dr. Espinosa was at the scene of Kerr's accident last June on Stony Hill Road, St. Andrew, where he lost his right arm and leg. The occasion was a presentation ceremony for Kerr at the Fort Augusta Correctional Centre in St. Catherine on Wednesday. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
HE IS described as a 21st century miracle. Correctional officer Hartford Kerr is still a ray of sunshine to his colleagues in the correctional services, even after losing his right arm and leg in a tragic accident last June on the Stony Hill Road, St. Andrew.
On Wednesday, Commissioner of Corrections Major Richard Reese presented Kerr with a cheque for just over $600,000 in a ceremony dedicated to the injured man at the Fort Augusta correctional centre in St. Catherine. The funds were raised through the commissioner's appeal and a raffle put on by the officers at Fort Augusta. They raised over $354,000.
Kerr was involved in a head-on collision and knocked off his bike by a pick-up truck and thrown in a ditch at the side of the road. Passers-by who witnessed the accident gathered and attracted the attention of Dr. Kurdell Espinosa who was on her way from the airport. She stopped and gave immediate help to the accident victim.
At the accident scene, Kerr's right leg was severed below the knee and his right hand at the wrist. Dr. Espinosa said Kerr's blood count was at two (the average for adult males is 16-18) when he arrived at the University Hospital of the West Indies. She said it was a miracle that he survived such blood loss.
Since his accident, Kerr has undergone five surgeries. He makes daily visits to the hospital to get his arm cleaned and dressed.
FUND-RAISING TO CONTINUE
Major Reese told The Gleaner that they will continue to raise funds to assist him to own a home and make arrangements to transport him to his visits so that he does not have to drive. The possibility of redeploying Kerr to the Correctional Services closed-circuit television (CCTV) operation centre, is also being investigated. The department will also help to raise funds for his prosthetics.
Senior Superintendent Clement Clunis of the Horizon Remand Centre where Kerr was assigned before his accident, said Kerr was a caring person who always assisted those around him. Thus he said the support now being shown to Kerr was not brought on by sympathy.
Despite his physical limitations, Kerr has learnt to write with his left hand and is still able to drive his car.
Donations to assist Correctional officer Hartford Kerr can be made to NCB account # 064421832.
