Family happy for government intervention

The family of Melan June Salvary-Doyle, who is the first TT national confirmed dead after Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the island of St Martin one week ago, yesterday said they were grateful the Government has intervened in trying to ensure that her body was returned safely to Trinidad for burial.

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Stuart Young said during yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, the Government would ensure the woman’s body was returned to TT. He said, though, the body would first have to be flown to Antigua before arriving in Trinidad. Young did not say when the body would arrive.

Salvary-Doyle’s sister, Emily Pasqual, told Newsday the family was grateful for the closure.

“We just want to thank everybody who have highlighted our story in the media,” she said.

Salvary-Doyle, 64, and her grandson, Oliver Robert-Gedio, three, were swept to the deaths in raging waters when Hurricane Irma unleashed its wrath on St Martin, one week ago.

She was visiting her daughter, Daphne, at her 32 A Rue Round The Pond French Quarters when the tragedy occured.

Yesterday, Pasqual said Daphne had since identified the bodies of her mother and son.

“She contacted the family and said they would be doing autopsies on the bodies in Guadeloupe and that it will take a little time. So, that will be a closure for her.”

Meanwhile, Pasqual said a celebration of Salvary-Doyle’s life will be held at the home of another sister, Patricia Salvary, in Vistabella, San Fernando, next Friday.

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"Family happy for government intervention"

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