Upset relatives and friends of a diver, who died at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital in St. Ann,   protested today (Jul 19) at the entrance of health facility and along the highway.

They are accusing the hospital of medical negligence.

Some seventy persons bearing placards and clad in t-shirts with the image of Kirby Smallhorn, are demanding answers from the hospital.

Among other things the placards call for justice for Kirby and declare that Jamaican life matters.

Mr. Smallhorn’s brother, Rory Bennett, says they will keep-up their demonstration, until they get answers from the health ministry.

The family has retained the services of an attorney.

Meantime, the North East Regional Health Authority says, it has launched an investigation, into a case of alleged medical negligence, surrounding the death of a patient at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, last Friday.

According to the Health Authority, Mr. Smallhorn, a diver, presented at the emergency department of the hospital on July 13, with symptoms of decompression illness.

The hospital reported, that initial management for the condition was started, immediately.

However, medical treatment for the condition requires, hyper-baric oxygen, which could only be done, at the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory.

According to the Authority, Mr. Smallhorn’s clinical symptoms deteriorated, while preparations were on-going for his transfer, to the facility.

Nerha says senior management of the hospital, met with family members of Mr. Smallhorn, yesterday.

The authority adds that investigations are on-going, surrounding the allegations made, in relation to the clinical management of the patient.

But, relatives of Kirby Smallhorn, the diver who died at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital last Friday, have disputed the health authority’s report, that the hospital did its best, to help him.

They allege, that the hospital did not act quickly enough, to stabilize Mr. Smallhorn, and that his death was a result of negligence.

Another of Mr. Smallhorne’s brothers, Shawn Bennett, says the family was advised, to secure an ambulance, to transport Mr. Smallhorn to Discovery Bay Marine Lab.

He alleges, that while awaiting the ambulance, his brother, who is asthmatic, complained, that he was unable to breathe.

Mr. Bennett says, ambulance personnel were the ones who realized, that his brother was unstable, but by then, his condition had deteriorated.