By Monique Washington
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — Two Medical University of the Americas students are currently receiving medical care one in Nevis, while the other has been airlifted to a hospital in the United States, following an explosion at their residence at Potworks on Wednesday evening.
Sometime after 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 3) a loud explosion was heard as far as New Castle about two miles away from the actual incident. The Observer arrived on the scene sometime after 9 p.m. and noted several students outside the housing complex. The fire truck, ambulance, police and the Nevis Electricity Department were all on site.
The Observer questioned students living in the complex, who claimed that two students were in a back apartment, one was cooking and the other studying when the stove blew up. The Observer also understands that both students were in their fifth semester. They were rushed to the Alexander Hospital by a fellow student and one was later air lifted to the US.
During the sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly, on Thursday Premier Mark Brantley announced that sometime after 2 a.m. one of the injured students was airlifted to the United States for additional care. “The other student is still with us here and receiving care at our hospital until that student too can be medevaced to the United States.”
“We are uncertain at this stage as to the cause of the explosion but I believe that the relevant authorities have the situation well in hand, and are undertaking the necessary investigation. I wanted just to say that briefly, to assuage any concerns that the public may have because I gather there would have been a lot of chatter as one would expect but in the circumstances, we do not know much more than what I’m indicating,” he said.
He concluded by assuring the public that they will continue to work closely with the authorities and with the Medical University of the Americas, to ensure that the safety and security of their students continues to be preserved.
