‘A rather sad time for parents and teachers’
Vaz laments as Titchfield students perish in accident
Published:Wednesday | May 15, 2024 | 12:11 AMGareth Davis Sr/Gleaner Writer -
BUFF BAY, Portland:
The people of Portland were engulfed in sadness as two grade-nine students of prominent high school, Titchfield, in Port Antonio, Portland, lost their lives in a motor vehicle crash along the Blue Berry Hill main road near Buff Bay on Tuesday.
Jajaun Walker and Onaja Lindsay, who were passengers, died from injuries received when a seven-seater grey Toyota Picnic motorcar operating as a taxi, and driven by Dwight Reid, slammed into the back of a parked truck along the West Portland leg of Highway 2000.
Walker, Lindsay and five other persons were rushed to the Annotto Bay Hospital, some 10 miles away, by a zone 3 police vehicle, with assistance from residents. The two male students were pronounced dead by doctors, while the other five people, including the driver, were being treated.
Minister with responsibility for Transport Daryl Vaz expressed shock at the deaths.
“I learned of the tragic accident, which took place in my constituency, and it is a rather sad time for the parents and the teachers and students at Titchfield High,” Vaz commented.
“I want to give my condolence as member of parliament for West Portland and, of course, as transportation minister.
“Once again preliminary reports are that speeding was involved. And again the loss of innocent lives due to irresponsible driving. This is happening far too often, far too frequent, and instead of getting better it is getting worse,” Vaz lamented.
“We have a National Road Safety council meeting later this week and after that meeting I am sure that some announcements will be made in terms of what we can do to stem the loss of life on our roads. Again, my condolences to the family and best wishes for those being treated at hospital for a full recovery,” he added.
A preliminary report from the police says that shortly after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the car driven by Reid was heading in a westerly direction towards Buff Bay when it slammed into a parked truck loaded with boulders, which was parked at the side of the roadway along that main thoroughfare, after developing mechanical problems.
The mangled car had its front end ripped open and large pools of blood were observed on the inside of the vehicle, which told the chilling tale of the loss of life.