Man injured on Brac flight due to turbulence

(CMR) An Arkansas commercial real estate developer, Harvey Sizemore, was injured yesterday evening on the 7:15 pm Saab Brac flight due to turbulence while traveling from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac.

CMR sources indicated that he was hospitalized overnight with a head concussion and some neck injuries and kept for further observation. Sizemore owns a home on the Brac and travels there frequently with his wife. After speaking with his wife, Rhonda Sizemore CMR was able to confirm that he was wearing his seatbelt during the incident and that he was ejected from it and hit the ceiling causing him both neck and head trauma. She further explained that they have been long time guests on Cayman Brac visiting for 30 years and this was the first time they had experienced such an incident. Last year the couple purchased a home there and have referred multiple friends to the island. She shared:

“My thoughts are different now, sadly. There is so much more to this story. However I know people will choose to believe what they want but in reality it should always be about the persons well being.”

They were also disappointed that there was no helicopter medevac service available to assist in the circumstances. They were informed that there was no helicopter pilot available on Grand Cayman. In fact, there were several fire fighters on the flight from Grand Cayman en route to the Brac to conduct some training and they did not offer any assistance to the injured man.

On Facebook, a retired fireman noted that another man who died on Friday evening after having a heart attack that morning should have been transported to Grand Cayman for treatment but again was not.

The following morning they had to take Cayman Airways back to Grand Cayman at 7:00 am to be taken to Health City Hospital in East End. However, they were forced to wait in the ambulance at the airport for two hours before they were placed on the otter and “they also requested for me to supply a form of payment before we departed”. They also had ot pay their return ticket back to the Brac. Evidentially, Cayman Airways has taken no responsibility for the incident and has made no contact with the couple at all.

She expressed that she was very disappointed in their response to this situation and was thinking of others when she shared the harrowing details. In fact, she wondered why the pilot was not able to avoid the turbulence or forewarn the passengers that it was coming. She questioned if the planes had sufficient modern equipment on them as her husband is also a pilot (non-commercial) and has some knowledge of instruments. She said:

“I pray your family or loved ones do not have to endure or be stressed by so many non compassionate people. I also hope that commercial airlines and hospitals have not become so desensitized to the many souls they are responsible. Shame on us all for allowing this to be “the way it is”. I say no more! I have been silent long enough.”

Rhonda Sizemore

She pointed out some inadequacies in the system that should be addressed before something more serious happens:

“That being said everyone should care enough with any training to do something. We love the Brac and have be traveling here for 30 years. This is not a third word country and you are correct they need more resources readily available for all. CT scanner which can link up to hospital on Grand and a medical evacuation helicopter ready at all times.”

Rhonda Sizemore

Sizemore was still having headaches days after the incident. Despite all of this, we understand that Sizemore is in good spirits and is expected to make a full recovery.

Other persons may have been injured to a lesser extent.

UPDATE: After running this story and our featuring the incident on our show The Cold Hard Truth we understand that the Lizzette Yearwood, CEO of the Health Services Authority reached out to the couple about the matter. However, to date the Minister of Tourism Honourable Moses Kirkconnell and Brac MLA has made no contact with the couple. Likewise, no representative from Cayman Airways have reached out to them either.