Carel Brady, whose brother was one of 14 people who died when a truck plunged into a ravine in Dam Bridge, Portland, on Friday night, weeps at the crash site. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

After begging to have his leg chopped off - while pinned for more than five hours beneath a truck that had plunged over a precipice in Portland's Rio Grande Valley - survivor Linford Jackson was on Sunday responding to treatment at the St Ann's Bay Hospital.

Jackson had pleaded with medical personnel from the Port Antonio Hospital, including nurse Rackell Wilson, to cut off his leg because of unbearable pain. His plea, however, was not honoured by the medical team.

"I was informed also that his left leg and left arm are somewhat badly fractured," she told The Gleaner. "He is currently in a critical, but stable condition. And he is responding well to treatment."

Pain-killing injection

The 23-year-old nurse explained that, despite the circumstances, her team decided that every attempt would be made to save the trapped man's life.

"I administered to him a Voltaren injection, which is a pain-killing injection, but he was so overwhelmed with pain that he cried and begged us to chop off the leg," Wilson said. "We explained to him that amputation would probably cause him to bleed to death and, furthermore, everything was being done to save his life," she said.

However, it took extra effort on the part of a rescue team from the Jamaica Public Service, which dispatched a crane truck to the area. Members of the JPS team, including Wayne McKenzie, were able to lift the truck, which allowed the medical team to free Jackson's left leg.

Wilson, 23, said the nightmarish accident scene was the worst she had ever witnessed. She also said a new chapter in her personal life has opened up, allowing her to realise the importance and value of life.

"Just being down there in that ravine and hearing that man (Jackson) crying out for help, as his leg was trapped underneath the truck, sent chills and shockwaves all over my body," she said.

Wilson

Crash fatalities

Injured, hospitalised

Winston Taylor, 51

Faston Telfer, 20

Aaron Lewis, 39

Beverly Johnson, 41

Fay Dillon, 68

Carmen Leslie, 49

Joyce Scott

Lebert Rogers, 49

Leroy Deans, 36

Beverly Bernard-McDonald, 49

Lassandra Dyce, 33

Althea Anderson, 59

Elrita Fuller, 76

Renaldo Palmer, 11

Balford Richards, 52

Veronica Cochrane, 41

Novelette Fuller, 43

Linford Jackson (critical condition)

Joyce Whyte, 47 (treated and released)

Desrick Fuller (treated and released)

Headley Evans (treated and released)