Man dies during hike to Blue Mountain Peak

A weekend hike to the summit of Blue Mountain Peak turned tragic on Sunday when a man fell ill and died while on the trail with a church group.

The group of about 25 had travelled to Portland Gap last Friday night to spend the weekend, with hiking to the peak being a regular activity for the visitors. Silford Ogilvie, who works in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park in St Thomas, said 20 members of the group made the journey to the peak.

“Twenty of them went up to the peak and one fell ill and died. The information that was also relayed is that he had a heart problem. It was a sad story Sunday evening,” Ogilvie told THE WEEKEND STAR.

According to sources, members of the group attempted to carry the 48-year-old man down from the peak but were unsuccessful. His body was subsequently found the following day. Attempts to contact the St Thomas police to ascertain the man’s identity proved futile. Ogilvie said efforts were also made by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to reach the hiker.

“The JDF did try. Part of the time it was raining, cloudy and windy. Them couldn’t see through the thick cloud, and when it windy, them couldn’t fly around long enough to get any landing,” he said. “During that time he was still alive. It was really sad that they got there but couldn’t get to him.”

The JDF confirmed that it received a request for a medical evacuation on Sunday afternoon.

“We got the request to execute a medical evacuation in the vicinity of Blue Mountain Peak on Sunday at about 1:40 p.m.,” the JDF said. “The JDF Air Wing responded, and based on the pilot’s assessment, the mission was unable to be executed due to unfavourable weather conditions.” The JDF said it remains committed to assisting Jamaicans during emergencies.

“The JDF would like to reinforce that we are committed to providing emergency response and supporting the citizens of Jamaica with our capabilities,” the force said.

For Ogilvie, the incident was particularly troubling because of his years working in the mountains this was a first.

“I work in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park where people come hike and camp every weekend. I am 57 years old. To my knowledge mi never hear of anybody die at the peak before,” he said.