‘It’s a sombre moment for us’

BUFF BAY, Portland:

Grieving students, with tears flowing freely down their cheeks, reflected the mood at Titchfield High School in Portland yesterday as the school population searched desperately for answers to the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ about the death of two of their own, following a motor vehicle crash.

The fatal accident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on Tuesday when a seven-seater Toyota Picnic, driven by Dwight Reid, slammed into a parked truck in the vicinity of Blue Berry Hill near Buff Bay.

Seven people, including the driver, were rushed from the accident scene to the Annotto Bay Hospital nearly 10 minutes away in the neighbouring St Mary parish. However, two grade-nine students, 14-year-old Jajaun Wynter and 14-year-old Onaja Lindsay, were pronounced dead.

Yesterday, Titchfield High’s principal, Richard Thompson, who was in a sombre mood, spoke about the need for road users, especially those charged with the responsibility of providing public-transport services, to slow down and act professionally as too many lives are being lost on the nation’s roads.

According to Thompson, the school population is mourning the passing of the two students who were destined for greatness, saying that it is a difficult time for teachers, students, the parents of the deceased, and also the people of Port Antonio.

But while the school population struggles to come to terms with the untimely passing of the male students, it is not the first time that Titchfield High is facing a tragic situation. In 2019, a bus accident along the Black Hill main road, also in west Portland, claimed the life of 13-year-old student Pranjil Jasti.

“I recall very vividly in 2019 when we lost a very prominent student and now two very promising, very talented grade-nine students in the prime of their lives … .two young men … Wynter was a member of our school band and a very talented musician,” Thompson pointed out.

“Teachers spoke highly of Lindsay, and it is not going to be easy. I just want to use this opportunity to appeal to all our road users, especially those offering a service, I urge those providing this kind of service to have respect for their profession. I say to my students that the same way they complain about the type of meals they receive at the cafeteria when they are dissatisfied, they should complain about the service they are receiving from transport operators.

Grateful for the lives spared

“This is happening once too often right across the island. It is only time, but only almighty God will see us through. But we must also be grateful for the lives spared in this accident. As you can imagine, it is a sombre moment for us here at Titchfield. It is a tragic situation and for, especially, the classmates of the students, who have passed on. They are finding it extremely difficult and with their teachers, along with the classmates of the other students who are currently battling for life at hospital,” Thompson concluded.

On Wednesday, a desk with flowers stood out amid the wave of sadness that engulfed students and teachers in a classroom once occupied by Wynter.

Meanwhile, minister with responsibility for the country’s transport, Daryl Vaz, told The Gleaner yesterday that he could confirm that the five surviving students of the accident, who remained hospitalised, were from communities in west Portland.

Vaz, who is also the member of parliament for West Portland, extended condolences to students and staff of Titchfield High and its surrounding communities.

“I want to thank responders – to include the health services, the police, and passers-by - who first rendered their assistance voluntarily,” commented Vaz.

“I am expressing thanks, especially to the nurses and doctors of the Annotto Bay Hospital, who did everything possible to save the lives of two young men. Prayer goes out to those who are being treated at hospital, and I want to take this opportunity to urge users of the roads to drive responsibly. Remember that you have people’s lives in your hands,” Vaz stated.

The Ministry of Education has since dispatched a mobile team to provide comprehensive psychological support to the affected students, staff, and surrounding communities of Titchfield High School.

gareth.davis@gleanerjm.com