Rasbert Turner, Portmore Star Writer

The heavy rains in Portmore, St Catherine, seemed to have saved the lives of several persons who failed to partake in a meal two weeks ago, which resulted in the death of a woman.

Dead is Evadney Henry, 63, of Trainline in Gregory Park in the municipality.

The matter was brought to light at the general meeting of the St Catherine Parish Council by the chief public health inspector for St Catherine, Michael Baker.

"There was a communal-like cooking of rice, peas and chicken and as soon as the woman eat the food she and two others took ill," Baker told the councillors.

He told the meeting that it was after a home remedy was administered to the two other persons, they survived.

Oral Gunnings, councillor for the Gregory Park Divison, said it was a very sad situation. "It is a regular thing that on a Sunday, persons would cook a pot at the location, when the unfortunate incident occurred," Gunnings said

Relatives of the dead woman were despondent when THE PORTMORE STAR visited the area. "It is very sad for the family at this time, but we are trying to remain positive and focused," Cedric Crooks, a relative said.

The St Catherine South police told THE PORTMORE STAR that they are probing the September 30 incident.