Fly Jamaica probing circumstances of elderly passenger’s death

Fly Jamaica Airways yesterday said that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Rookhia Kalloo, the eighty-six-yearold passenger who reportedly suffered a fractured skull as a result of the crash-landing of a company plane at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport just over a week ago.

Kalloo died at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday afternoon.

In a brief statement, the airline said it was “deeply saddened” to learn of the death of Kalloo, whom it noted was one the passengers aboard Fly Jamaica flight OJ256, which experienced “a runway excursion” on Friday, November 9th.

“All of our thoughts and sympathies are with Mrs Kalloo’s family and loved ones at this time,” it said.

“Whilst Mrs Kalloo is not recorded as having been treated in hospital for any injuries as a result of the accident, we are investigating the position further and lending all possible assistance and support to Mrs Kalloo’s relatives as they come to terms with their loss. We kindly ask the media to respect the family’s privacy at this sad time,” it added.

Kalloo’s daughter, Lilawattie Persaud, previously told this newspaper that her mother had been very hysterical after the accident but did not complain of having suffered any injuries. Hours after returning home from the airport, the daughter recalled seeing her mother being disoriented. After being questioned about her health, Kalloo told her daughter that she was not feeling well. As a result, a decision was made to take her to the Woodlands Hospital, where she was immediately admitted.

She subsequently lost the ability to speak and move on her own.

“The last time I heard my mother speak was on Sunday when I asked her if she was okay, but now she totally shut down… the doctors said that her brain is swollen and that it is shutting down and that there is nothing else they can do for her,” Persaud had said.

It was subsequently learned that she had suffered a skull fracture.

At the time of the accident, Kalloo, her daughter and granddaughter were returning to Canada after vacationing here for four weeks. Rookhia Kalloo