Trench Town hero gutted after JPS contractor dies

Kemar 'Doggy' Campbell, the 30-year-old Trench Town resident who climbed a utility pole to try and save a man who had been electrified, says he does not regret it even though the man passed away.

Ainsley Scott, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) contractor who sustained serious injuries in the incident on February 2, died yesterday morning at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH).The JPS made the announcement yesterday via a press release. Scott was employed to M&O Traders which provides service to JPS.

"Mi sorry him dead still, mi think him shoulda be alive. Mi really put in the work fi help him so him could be alive. Mi did want him live so I and him could meet up and talk about what he endured and what it felt like for him to hang up there," said Campbell, who kept Scott stable until the firefighters arrived.

Scott was part of a team that was attempting to restore power to Eighth Street in Arnett Gardens, Kingston 12. Residents said that sometime after 10 a.m., they heard an explosion and seconds later saw Scott dangling. As persons watched a badly injured Scott hanging helplessly, Campbell, who has no experience in electrical work, climbed the post to assist him. He has been hailed as a hero by those who witnessed his bravery. As he looked at the pole, Campbell, a father of four, says he often wonders if he would ever take a similar risk.

"More time mi stand and look up on the post and mi wonder if mi woulda really go back up deh ya now, when mi deh on the ground and see how high mi did deh and the risk whe mi really take. Looking back mi don't regret and it was worth the risk because if the man did even live one day after the incident, it would still be a blessing because his family would get to see him breathing for a next day and that would make mi feel good," he said.

He said when he heard the tragic news of Scott's passing yesterday, he did not instantly believe it, as rumours had been swirling the day after the incident that Scott had succumbed to his injuries.

"I heard and I felt really sad so I went down by KPH and ask the porter and other staff it was true and they said no. I am really sorry to know that him dead," he said. Campbell said he briefly met two of Scott's relatives who had visited the community last week. He offered condolences.

"Mi really sorry about what happen. Mi did really want him live and go back to his family," he said.