Sombre mood at Titchfield as school mourns deaths of students in crash

A desk with flowers shined brightly amid a wave of sadness which engulfed students and teachers at Titchfield High in a classroom once occupied by grade 9 student Jajaun Wynter who was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Portland on Tuesday.

It was an extremely sombre mood at the school on Wednesday as students and teachers struggled to come to grips with the untimely passing of Wynter and another grade 9 student Onaja Lindsay.

Principal Richard Thompson told The Gleaner on Wednesday that it was a heart-wrenching moment for the entire population at the institution with the passing of not only the two male students, but also the injury of five other students who are hospitalised.

“Walker and Lindsay were promising students, who were destined for greatness. Five other students remain at hospital and my understanding is that three of those students were transferred late yesterday to KPH [Kingston Public Hospital],” Thompson pointed out.

“Two very promising, very talent grade nine students in the prime of their lives. Wynter was a member of our school band and a very talent musician. 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 dissatisfied, they should complain about the service they are receiving from transport operators. 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 speared in this accident,” he added.   

A team from the Ministry of Education is now visiting the school, offering support and counselling to grieving teachers and students who are still in a state of shock following the horrific accident.

It is reported that shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday, a car being driven by a man was heading in a westerly direction towards Buff Bay when it slammed into a parked truck loaded with boulders, which was at the side of the road after developing mechanical problems.

- Gareth Davis Snr 

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.