Deadly ride
One killed, 13 injured in two rural St Andrew crashes
Published:Wednesday | September 24, 2025 | 12:11 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
The St Andrew traffic police are investigating two separate road crashes that occurred yesterday afternoon, leaving a woman dead and at least 13 others injured.
The first crash occurred around 2:20 p.m. along the Newcastle main road in rural St Andrew.
Reports are that a car carrying six people veered off the roadway and plunged into a ravine. One woman, identified as Greta McKenzie of Jerry Gully, Irish Town, died at the scene.
Four other occupants, including the 21-year-old driver of the white 2012 Toyota Probox, were rescued and transported to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). Their condition remained unknown at press time.
The Gleaner understands that the vehicle was travelling from Papine towards Irish Town when it went off the road near the Strawberry Hill Hotel and the popular ‘Bagga Cook Shop’ area. Residents, the police, Jamaica Defence Force soldiers, and firefighters responded to the emergency, using ropes and heavy equipment to retrieve the trapped passengers from the steep hillside.
Less than an hour later, at approximately 3:15 p.m., a second crash occurred along Dublin Castle main road in Gordon Town. It involved a Toyota Hiace minibus transporting students from St Martin de Porres Primary and Louise Bennett-Coverley Primary.
Reports are that upon reaching a section of the main road, the bus developed mechanical problems and became disabled after some unusual sounds were heard.
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS
The Gleaner understands that the driver emptied the bus of the children, and after several attempts, he managed to restart the vehicle.
When it was reloaded and the driver attempted to continue the journey, the engine reportedly shut off and the vehicle ran backwards down the hill, climbed an embankment and overturned.
At least 10 children were treated at the UHWI for injuries. The driver also received what appeared to be burn injuries to his hands and back. One of his arms, seemingly, was also broken.
The Government of Jamaica earlier this month launched its rural school bus programme along 122 routes islandwide to help to safely transport children to and from school.
“This means that for the first time, parents will be able to monitor their children’s movement to and from school, providing peace of mind and an extra layer of security,” Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said at the rollout.
It is not clear whether any of the buses are traversing the route where the accident occurred.
The police are probing both crashes.
Up to September 22, two hundred and eighty-four people died on Jamaica’s roadways, a five per cent increase year on year, according to the latest data published by the Island Traffic Authority.