Statement from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Castries, St. Lucia (Thursday March 4th, 2010): The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority has advised that the remains of its Director General Mr. Rosemond W. James -and Director – Flight Safety Mr. Gregory A. McAlpin have been recovered and identified.

Mr. James and Mr McAlpin were both in Haiti to attend the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Aviation Security and Safety Oversight System (CASSOS), when a devastating earthquake struck that country on January 12, 2010. They remained unaccounted for until Monday 22nd February when the Civil Aviation Authority of Haiti (OFNAC), one of the entities representing ECCAA in the recovery efforts, informed the ECCAA that their remains had been recovered.

The ECCAA statement further advised that although the bodies had been identified based on their jewellery and driver’s licences, a secondary confirmation through a laboratory identification process was scheduled.

The OECS Secretariat has expressed its deepest condolences to the families of Messrs James and McAlpin as well as to their colleagues at the ECCAA and thanks everyone for their prayers and support during this very difficult time. Consequently, the OECS flag is being flown at half mast.

Director General Mr. Rosemond W. James	Director – Flight Safety Mr. Gregory A. McAlpin