Jamaica news roundup: South Camp Road blast, St. Elizabeth fatal crash, NAR appointment and health deal

Four people were hospitalised on Wednesday after an explosion at a garage facility on South Camp Road in St. Andrew. The Jamaica Fire Brigade said crews were called shortly before 9 a.m. and reported that welding was being done on a Beryllium armoured truck before the blast. Police said four vehicles were damaged, three severely and one slightly. The extent of the injuries has not been released, and investigators said foul play is not suspected while inquiries continue.

In St. Elizabeth, 45-year-old Rohan Wright, a chef from Fraser’s District in New Market, died after a two-vehicle crash on the Parker main road about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday. Six people, including both drivers, were taken to Black River Hospital. Reports say a green Toyota Coaster travelling from Montego Bay to Santa Cruz collided with a white vehicle driven by Wright as it turned from a minor road onto the main road. Firefighters freed both trapped drivers, and Wright later died.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has named Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, Major General Antony Anderson, as the first chief executive officer of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority. Anderson is to take up the post on June 1, after the NARA Act 2026 came into force. Holness said Anderson would leave the ambassadorial role and cited his leadership of the JDF and JCF, as well as his review of the state response to Hurricane Beryl.

Police in Trelawny said five men have been charged with being part of a criminal organisation after an alleged multimillion-dollar theft ring targeting businesses between December 2025 and April 2026. Investigators said goods and cash worth more than $20 million were stolen, and that Jamaican, US, Canadian and British currency, along with stolen items, were found during an April 11 operation. Charged are Cardell Williams, 47; Clover Lewis, 39; Franklin Cross, 46; Omar Anthony Coleman, 33; and Randy Murray, 40.

In St. Catherine, 33-year-old Shamar Champagnie has been charged with robbery with aggravation and possession of a prohibited weapon over the alleged gunpoint robbery of a woman on Port Henderson Road near 5 North, Greater Portmore, on September 18. Police said Leon Pennycook had already been charged. Separately, a 48-year-old daycare operator accused of neglect and cruelty after bite marks were found on a 10-month-old baby was discharged after mediation, an apology and a $50,000 payment, though the judge ordered further checks on the facility’s licensing.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said Jamaica expects health-sector gaps to begin easing within two months under a four-year agreement with Ghana for the voluntary, temporary recruitment of Ghanaian doctors and nurses. A joint committee will oversee recruitment, deployment, welfare and implementation.