BY DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
TRIBUTES have been pouring in on social media sites following the unexpected death of Police Constable Garvin Demeritte, who died while undergoing medical treatment at the Rand Memorial Hospital on Saturday.
PC Demeritte, 31, had sustained an ankle injury three weeks ago as a result of a car accident. He was fitted with a cast. It was not clear how the injuries were caused, but unconfirmed reports suggest that his foot had been rolled over by a car tyre.
The day before his death, Demeritte had gone to the Hawksbill Clinic for his regular check. On Saturday morning, he started experiencing difficulty breathing while attending a prayer breakfast at his church. He was taken to the hospital, where he died that afternoon.
It is believed that the officer may have suffered a heart attack, which may have been caused by a blood clot. Earlier this year, a young woman with an ankle injury also allegedly died while in the hospital under similar circumstances.
The Tribune attempted to speak with Hospital Administrator Catherine Weech but was told that she was in a meeting and no return call was received up to press time.
Officer Demeritte is the father of two children, aged one and nine. He has served with the Royal Bahamas Police Force for five years and was currently attached to the West End Division.
A number of his Police colleagues were saddened to learn of his death and immediately took to Facebook and Whatsapp to pay their respects to the fallen officer. Senior Police reservist ASP Fred Cooper was among the many officers sending his condolences and respects.
Officer Demeritte was described as a very sociable and outgoing person. He played softball for the Police team.
Comments
Bahamianpride 9 years, 10 months ago
I'm no medical professionals but it sames that this Life could have probably been saved by ibuprofen or aspirin or any anti-inflammatory, blood thinning medication in small doses. This would have temporarily prevented cloths until the bodies natural healing process took place. We have so many people that pass away unnecessarily because of our mentality towards diet and simple common sense preventative measures. My heart goes out to the family during this difficult time.
Cobalt 9 years, 10 months ago
Very sad story indeed. It sounds to me that officer Demeritte experienced a classic pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the pulmonary artery). Family members and friends of any patient experiencing trauma to any part of the body would be well advised to ask their doctor about the use of clot-preventing drugs such as Heparin or Aspirin.... and if a blood-clot is indeed suspected, then they can be prescribes clot-busting, anticoagulant drugs such as Warfarin or Coumadin. Unfortunately, pulmonary embolisms occur very quickly and are 95% fatal. If you or any of your love ones have experience trauma to any part of the body and after a few days start to experience pain, redness, warmth, and inflammation of any of the calf muscles of the leg (left or right), then report to the hospital immediately. This may indicate a case of deep vain thrombosis which can lead to a pulmonary embolism. Avoid rubbing or massaging the calf muscles because this is what causes the thrombus to break off in the veins and eventually gets lodged in the pulmonary artery of the lungs. This is what causes the shortness of breath and inability to breath. Just some food for thought.
Stapedius 9 years, 10 months ago
Sad, but that sounds about right Cobalt. This could very well have been a PE. We really need to have better care plans and outpatient management in our system of care. We send our sympathy to the family and friends of this young officer.
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