November 17, 2024
Ocho Rios, St. Ann. Jamaica
LATEST NEWS NEWS

5 confirmed dead in St Ann bus crash

 

BUS

 

Police have confirmed the deaths of five people in a road crash near Laughlands on the North Coast Highway, St Ann this morning (Friday)

Snr Superintendent of police Wayne Cameron told journalists that four men and a woman died in the crash. They were among the fifteen people on a Golden Dragon minibus that plies Highgate, St Mary to Brown’s Town, St Ann Route.

Police say the bus, heading west to Brown’s Town, about 7:10 apparently developed mechanical problems, flipped over more than once and slid for more than 100 yards before hitting a Totota Rav 4 going in the opposite direction. The driver of the Rav 4 was hospitalized but her condition was not considered serious.

The top of the bus was ripped off as were the doors before it ended in a ditch on the right hand (opposite side) of the road. People in another bus and firemen quickly on the scene removed the dead and injured

At a press briefing, in a crowded St Ann’s Bay Hospital yard, just outside the A&E Department, SSP Cameron said this morning he could not yet name the dead. However he said police were seeking the person driving the bus at the time. He said police believe it was the conductor at the wheel. The designated driver was among the dead.

There were at least six students on the bus including three from York Castle High and other schools in the Brown’s Town area.

(Stay with The Times website and Facebook for updates. See the next issue of the North Coast Times for details).