‘Wish I could bring him back to life’ - Residents mourn politician killed in crash

Alexander Goffe, a resident of Point Hill in St Catherine, openly wishes that he could bring back late Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor-caretaker Omar Francis, who was killed in a car crash yesterday in Byles district, Kitson Town, St Catherine.

"The man deh everywhere, enuh, him nuh deserve it. Mi a wonder weh God a think bout, God shoulda make him come back. Mi wish mi did have dem power deh coulda bring him back to life. The first councillor (Wesley Suckoo) was mi best friend and him dead December (2019) and now Omar come dead. Nothing can't guh suh man," Goffe said.

Sitting with a group of men in the community's square, Goffe was a picture of gloom. He said Francis was not only a political representative but also a great friend.

"Mi suppose to go work this morning (yesterday) and mi nuh reach. When mi hear say Omar crash this morning, mi couldn't sleep. Omar is one of the greatest man on Earth. Is last week Sunday I tell him say mi dying fi him become councillor because him do so much for us. If mi could give back half of my life to Omar, I would give him. He is brother, sister and best friend. I love Omar more than anything else," he said.

Francis, who was travelling alone, was reportedly heading home when he lost control of the SUV and crashed into a concrete structure. He was recently selected as the JLP candidate for the vacant Point Hill division seat in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation. Another resident Damion Watson said Francis had the community's best interests at heart.

"Him never live in Point Hill but he was here every single day. A yesterday [Sunday] him deh here and meet with a group of young people and say him ago help dem get certified. Omar alright man," Watson said.

Shernette Powell, principal of Point Hill Leased Primary and Junior High School, said she met with Francis two weeks ago as a quality education circle to launch a mental health programme.

"It was just a great opportunity to work with him. So hearing about his loss two weeks later is really depressing," she said. She stated that Francis was a stellar figure in the school's activities, even treating the teachers on Teachers' Day.

"He had also stated that he was going to work with us on our special education unit because he knows we needed ramps and rails. It is just disappointing that after that conversation with a young man that has so much promise is going to be just a memory to us. He is loved by most persons in the community and I have never ever heard anyone speak ill of Omar," said the educator.