Arnim Smith is dead

UNC Senator Arnim Smith, 58, died at the St Clair Medical Centre at 6.30 am yesterday of a ruptured Aorta, the main vessel in the arterial network of the heart. His wife Patricia was on her way to his bedside, when she received news of his passing. In an interview at her Valsayn home yesterday, she thanked the team of doctors for their valiant effort to save her husband’s life. Doctors were making arrangements to send him to the United States for surgery at 11 am yesterday, and negotiations were being made with the Washington Hospital Centre, as well as with the Air Ambulance Service out of Puerto Rico. But Smith died before he could be flown out. Family and friends of UNC Senator Arnim Smith yesterday described his passing as a tremendous shock and great loss, as he had not complained of feeling unwell nor had he revealed any signs of experiencing heart problems.

When Newsday visited Smith’s house yesterday, his wife Patricia said “ He had no problem until yesterday (Saturday) morning,” and added that he had been busy working up to the time of his death in readiness for tomorrow’s sitting of the Senate. A shocked Patricia revealed that Smith would have turned 58 today. Asked whether or not Smith had ever complained of chest pains or heart trouble before, Patricia admitted he had “heart problems, but nothing major” which would have acted as an indication that something more was wrong. Close friend of the family Felix “Baldy” Hernandez told Newsday that Arnim began having excruciating chest pains on Saturday morning around 10 am, and was rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC). Recounting that there had been “chaos and confusion” at Mt Hope as the hospital had not been adequately staffed nor had the relevant persons dealing with such problems been available, Hernandez said Smith was eventually transferred to the St Clair Medical Clinic. Stating that Smith had “torn vessels in the chest and no feelings from the waist down,” Hernandez said a team of doctors at St Clair comprising Kayoum Ali, Fuad Khan, Tim Gopeesingh and Ron Henry attended to Smith. Revealing that the death certificate listed the exact cause of death as “a ruptured aorta,” Dr Lester Forde said this was compounded by an additional number of problems. UNC chairman Wade Mark also visited the home to extend condolences to the family, as well as to lend his support. Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised as the family is awaiting the arrival of two of Smith’s daughters and other persons from abroad. Arnim Smith leaves to mourn his four children — Keitha, Shayna and Thais, and lone son Sterling, as well as his wife Patricia, to whom he was married for 15 years.