Convoy battles fallen trees to reach hospital

Nine ambulances, a health ministry-branded vehicle, and volunteers from Food For The Poor battled blocked roads between Mandeville and Black River on Wednesday, after Hurricane Melissa ripped through southern Jamaica.

"We are en route to the Black River Hospital to transport over 40 patients to the Mandeville Hospital because of the situation in Black River," one first responder told THE STAR. "We don't know how extensive it is, but that's what we're set out to do today."

What should have been a two-hour drive turned into a slow-motion struggle through debris and fallen light poles. At several points, police officers, soldiers, and volunteers jumped from their vehicles to cut down trees and drag tangled wires from the asphalt.

"We never expect the road dem this bad," another responder said. "But we haffi reach the hospital. People depending on us."

By late afternoon, the convoy reached Holland Bamboo, where the journey stopped cold. The area was buried beneath branches and collapsed utility lines, making it impossible to pass. The team retreated slightly and paused in Lacovia, stranded there for more than three hours as darkness fell. Traffic stretched for miles behind the ambulances. Cell service remained down, leaving rescuers unable to confirm conditions inside Black River.

As the evening deepened, headlights flickered across the flooded road. The route ahead was uncertain, but the mission stayed the same: reach Black River, find the patients, and bring them to safety.

"No matter how long it take, we nah turn back till we reach them," one volunteer Brunny said.