Long recovery ahead for youth who fell into well

Jacquan Wharton, the 20-year-old who fell into a 42-foot well last month, is on the mend.

His father Wendell Harris told Barbados TODAY on Monday that while his son still had a long way to go to full recovery, he was pleased with his improvement so far.

“He came out of hospital yesterday [Sunday] and he is doing a lot better. He was able to get the amount of blood needed for him to undergo surgery and we are grateful. I want to thank everyone who came forward and donated blood,” he said. “He has a long way to go before he is fully recovered but I have seen a major improvement.”

Wendell Harris

Following Wharton’s accident on August 10, Harris made an urgent appeal for blood on behalf of his son who was in critical condition at the time.

He had reported that the young man had internal bleeding and his kidney and liver were badly damaged.

Wharton fell into the well on Clarke’s Road, Hothersal Turning, St Michael around 12:44 p.m. He had been working with his father at a nearby house, and during his lunch break, he was walking through a track en route to a canteen when he plunged into the well.

Thirteen fire officers were involved in Wharton’s rescue. They used an Arizona Vortex – a high directional system that allows users to manipulate elevated rope lines above confined spaces – to get him out of the well. (SZB)