A former firefighter who mounted the Half Way Tree Transport Centre on Monday, threatening to take his own life, is now receiving medical care at hospital.
Thirty-five-year-old Shadane Gentles, who is of a St Catherine address, was transported by mental health personnel from the Half Way Tree Police Station to the Kingston Public Hospital for assessment.
Gentles climbed the St Andrew landmark sometime after 3 pm amid threats to commit suicide, but seemingly had a change of heart following the intervention of former colleagues at the Jamaica Fire Brigade.
READ: Ex-firefighter mounts HWT Transport Centre, threatens suicide
Keith Blake, General Manager of the Half Way Tree Transport Centre, recounted the event, stating: “This afternoon we saw the gentleman up there, and we alerted the police; subsequent to that, they called the fire brigade, and they came up and recognised that it is one of their past members. They got in touch with his father and his wife, and they came.
“One of the fire brigade personnel, who is a colleague of his, went up, spoke to him, and another one went up again and coerced him to come down; eventually he did. Thank God no life was lost,” he added.
The incident attracted scores of onlookers who clapped for joy when Gentles made it to safety.
Sources claim that the incident was linked to domestic disputes.
In March 2023, suspended firefighter Sergeant Leo Bennett also climbed atop the Half Way Tree Transport Centre to stage a one-man protest for improved working conditions for firefighters.
WATCH: Militant firefighter lists demands amid protest atop HWT Transport Centre