Last updated at 2:47 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.
ST. CROIX — A medical emergency involving a cistern occurred at a residence at Southgate Plantation Condos on St. Croix’s East End, with a responder telling the Consortium that the structure appeared to have been recently cleaned and recoated and was still in the curing process when emergency personnel arrived.
The incident occurred at the condominium complex south of Cheeseburgers near the turn toward Great Pond. The cistern was located within the patient’s residence, according to the responder who provided additional details to the Consortium following the emergency.
Upon arriving at the home, the responder observed that the cistern appeared to have been recently cleaned and given a new coating. The material was apparently still completing the curing process, and a fan had been positioned to ventilate the space.
The presence of the fan and condition of the cistern provide additional context about the environment encountered by responders. However, no medical or investigative determination provided to the Consortium has established that the coating, the curing process or any fumes associated with the work caused the patient’s medical emergency.
The circumstances surrounding the incident highlight the potential hazards associated with enclosed cistern spaces, particularly when cleaning, coating or other maintenance work has recently taken place. The precise cause of the patient’s condition remains undetermined based on the information currently available.
The Consortium will update this report if additional information becomes available regarding the patient’s condition or the circumstances that led to the emergency.
