Phyllis Bolt was returning from a visit to her husband in the St Ann’s Bay hospital when the car she was driving crashed head on into another just ten minutes from the hospital. Her body had to be cut from the wreckage and was taken to the hospital she had just visited where she was pronounced dead.
Five others, including one of her daughters who received severe injuries were taken to the hospital and admitted. Mrs Bolt’s husband, Bishop Lawford Bolt was not told of the accident or the death of his wife until Tuesday, following surgery, Monday, for which he had gone to the hospital. Family members say there was a noticeable worsening of his mood and demeanour after he received the news of the tragedy. However, his condition is said to be improving with regular visits by members of his congregation and other relatives.
Those initially admitted were: Judena Bolt, bank employee, daughter of Phyllis and Lawford Bolt; Alfred Codner and his wife Florence; a woman known only as Miss White, members of the Triumphant Church of God, Lime Tree Gardens, headed by Bishop Bolt.
Mr. Codner was discharged last Monday, but returned Wednesday as he felt some discomfort. However, he did not wish to be readmitted in the hospital. Ms White was released last Thursday. She did not receive major injuries.
Several communities south of Brown’s Town, including Devon and Lime Tree Gardens where the family and church members lived were thrown into mourning and disbelief over the events. It was tinged with some anger after police issued a release wrongly stating that the car Mrs Bolt was driving, a Toyota Corolla, had drifted into the path of a VW Jetta, driven by a man who the police are expecting to charge.
Police corrected the error stating that about 6 o’clock Sunday, Mrs Bolt was driving heading west when on reaching a section of the North Coast Highway at Llandovery, near Cranbrook Flower Forest, a VW Jetta, heading in the opposite direction drifted across the road into the path of her vehicle.
Police say the driver was sleeping and a passenger in the car on realizing the car was drifting, tapped him on the shoulder but it was too late.
All the occupants of Mrs Bolt’s car were injured and she died. Fire personnel had to cut away the top of the car to rescue all the people.
Alfred Codner, who was the only male in the vehicle, received minor injuries. His wife though has reveived serious injuries. These include injuries to one of her eyes and a broken hand.
Mr Codner recounted that he only remembered being seated in the back and then being flung forward to the front of the vehicle and hit his head. He said he was surprised to wake up in the hospital.
Reports are Mrs Bolt had left on time to return to the church for evening services. She did not make it but members of the church say her last sermon, Sunday morning, before her hospital visit, was inspired and spirit filled. No one remembered her every preaching like that, a family member told The Times.
Her brother, Collins Daye is still wondering how it happened. He said she was the “slowest driver” and confirmed a statement by her sister, Norma Jean Perry that she didn’t love driving and often walked or otherwise got around if her husband couldn’t take her. “I hear she didn’t even want to drive Sunday and told the others so,” Mr Daye said.
Mrs Perry says she is having a hard time coming to terms with the loss of her sister that came only two months after the death of their mother. She says her sister was one of the kindest souls and simply loved people.
