News

'Grave' situation in St Thomas

By ARTHUR GREEN, Star Writer

St. Thomas

THE ST. THOMAS PARISH Council and the Public Health Department are jointly working on a programme to exhume and relocate several graves, which were severely damaged in the parish with the passing of Hurricane Dennis more than a week ago.

A number of burial parks are to be rehabilitated. The Bull Bay cemetery to the west was badly damaged and urgent discussions are under way with Madden's Funeral Home with a view to identifying a suitable plan of action for more than 40 graves.

"Lloyd's burial ground will have to be relocated as a measure of environmental safety," said Clinton Gordon, secretary manager of the council. "This comes against the background, as buried remains has become visible, and for this, total exhumation will have to be carried out."

Badly damaged

Charles Lewis, the chief public health inspector in the parish, added that the cemetery at Mount Lebonus will need some attention as well, as graves were badly damaged and contents have been exposed.

The problem with that, however, is to find alternate lands which are considered suitable for burial. Both agencies have agreed that urgent attention must be given to address the situation and are hoping that it will happen very soon as conditions are 'grave'.