Barbados Victim’s Condition Worsens

The Ottawa woman who was attacked on a beach in Barbados last week is now in critical condition in hospital, where she remains unconscious.

Her condition was downgraded Friday as Canadian officials updated the security recommendations for travelers to Barbados following reports of attacks on Canadian women on Long Beach, in the southern end of the island.

On Thursday afternoon, the Department of Foreign Affairs added to its travel report: “Visitors are cautioned to avoid unattended or isolated areas, including beaches, at any time. Travelers should be particularly vigilant when visiting Long Beach, where incidents have been reported.”

The “incidents” that DFAIT is referring to include last weekend’s attack on Ottawa’s Terry Schwarzfeld and her daughter-in-law, Luana Cotsman of Guelph. The women were hit in the head with a piece of wood by a sole attacker at 4 p.m. on Long Beach. Schwarzfeld was airlifted to Ottawa Wednesday morning.

Another Ottawa woman also told the Citizen this week about being attacked by a man with a knife last winter on Long Beach –again, in broad daylight and in the company of another woman.

Of the approximately 13,000 Canadian visitors to Barbados each year, two were assaulted in 2007, and three last year, according to DFAIT.