CARING TO THE END - Crash victim was on verge of becoming a practical nurse

Lydia Brown had a passion for nurturing. Her sister, Geneve Bell, says she was always taking care of people. It was this passion that led the 44-year-old to enrol in a programme at Francella's Academy of Nursing Professionals in May Pen, Clarendon.

Brown was slated to graduate this July, having been trained as a practical nurse. However, in a cruel tale of fate, she perished in a horrific crash on Highway 2000 on Monday. She was heading to Kingston to conduct business.

She just loved nursing

"Lydia's passion was to be become a nurse from she was younger. She tried a lot of other stuff like mechanic, but it never work out because she just loved nursing," said Bell.

"She was even working at a nursing home in Antigua at one point and she loved that job so much. She would come home from work and just talk about her elderly patients and how much she loved them," the grieving sister added.

The crash which took Brown's life also claimed the life of four other persons. Reports from the Spanish Town police are that about 11 a.m., a Toyota Hiace bus was travelling along the roadway when it is alleged that one of the tyres blew out. The driver of the bus lost control of the vehicle and collided in a motor truck before it overturned several times and crashed into the median. Ten other persons were injured. Statistics from the Road Safety Unit reveal that 119 persons have been killed in road crashes since the start of the year.

Tamara Blackstock-Bryan, Brown's teacher at Francella's Academy, felt her pupil would have been a great practical nurse.

"She was a great student, very dedicated. She wanted to become a nurse so she could help her family members who were ill, and she loved the elderly. I'm still in shock that she is no longer with us," Blackstock-Bryan told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Brown, who had two daughters, ages 28 and 20, spent much of her childhood days in Rock River, Clarendon, honing her skills as a caregiver.

"When I was younger, I had a cut and Lydia bandaged it and she monitored it until it got better," recalled Bell, who is four years Brown's senior.

"Even since we big, one of our brothers had diabetes and she was the one who volunteered to care him when he got really ill. She was a loving family person. Don't matter who is sick she coming to take care of them," Bell added.

The last time the sisters spoke was on Sunday. "I wasn't feeling well and she called me to check on me because she was scared to lose me," Bell said. "Monday morning I texted her to see if she was good, but until now that message don't read."