Two Jamaican seasonal workers killed in Canada crash as court grants bail to alleged Ranka gang members

Two Jamaican seasonal farm workers died on Thursday afternoon in a traffic collision in Canada, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has confirmed. Rupert Bell and David Lindsay, who were travelling together, were killed in the crash, which occurred around 5:00 p.m.

Labour Minister Colonel Charles Jr. said the deaths are a painful reminder of the sacrifices many Jamaicans make to provide for their families. "Today, two families have lost their loved ones. Communities have lost their valued members and our country has lost two hardworking citizens," he said, offering condolences to the men's relatives, friends, and fellow workers. Both had long service through the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme, supporting agriculture in Jamaica and Canada. Bell had participated since 2013, and both men arrived in Canada for the current season on March 18, 2026.

Employer information suggests the men may have been on a Kubota tractor in the Simcoe region when another motor vehicle struck them. Full details were not available, though unconfirmed reports indicate an occupant of the other vehicle may also have died. Canadian authorities are investigating, and the ministry said it is maintaining close contact with Jamaica's liaison service in Canada, the employer, and Canadian officials.

In Kingston, the Supreme Court granted bail on Thursday to three alleged members of the Ranka gang who had been in custody since 2022. Justice Leighton Puzzy ordered the release of David Henry, Constable Tenil Francis, and Tevin Henriquez after successful applications by their attorneys. Alleged leader Conible Tafari Syla remains in custody pending a further bail hearing in July.

The three join co-accused Jasset Brown, Constable Daniela Barnes, Aila McKenzie, and Constable Rajie Marson, who are already on bail under stricter conditions including curfews, surrender of travel documents, and stop orders at ports. Eight people—four police officers and four civilians—are jointly charged under the Suppression of Criminal Organisations Act. Prosecutors indicated last month that case files remained incomplete, and several trial dates have been vacated, including one set for April 13, 2026. The Ranka gang has been linked to 17 incidents across Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, St. Catherine, St. Mary, Trelawny, Kingston, St. Andrew, and St. James between 2009 and 2021.

In St. Andrew, 55-year-old Terrence Austin of Kintyre Road has been charged with larceny as a servant after investigators alleged he removed more than $2 million from an ATM at a financial institution. The institution discovered the shortage on May 29, with discrepancies dating to January 29. Austin, employed by a contracted security firm responsible for clearing the ATM and a check-deposit vault, was charged on June 16 following a caution statement given in the presence of his attorney. The alleged theft was reportedly captured on CCTV.

National Security Minister Dr. Harris Chang has distanced himself from reports that Ambassador Audrey Marks initiated a third-country nationals agreement with the United States. Chang said he could not confirm who masterminded the overture and noted the arrangement contemplates transfers of up to 25 individuals every two weeks. Opposition Leader Mark Golding called for a government review and questioned whether Chang misled the House when he said the US government initiated talks. "Now the two positions can't both be true," Golding said, urging referral to the privileges committee. Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon said Thursday that "it is a US initiative" and that the TCN programme should be separated from distinct discussions on attracting skilled workers involving Marks.