Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Sapphire Longmore has indicated that her assistance in the situation at the Half Way Tree Transportation Centre, involving a protesting fireman, was to mitigate any harm.

The fireman, Sergeant Leo Bennett, had climbed atop the centre in a bid to bring attention to the alleged poor working conditions of fire fighters and called for change.

Dr. Longmore said her training as a medical first responder kicked in, because the scenario presented many possible outcomes, some of which could have been injurious.

She noted public concern about the need for the intervention of a psychiatrist, and explained that it is best to err on the side of caution.

Dr. Longmore said she, and others who spoke with Sergeant Bennett, urged him the use other means of getting his point across.