Bus driver killed in Font Hill crash identified

The police have identified the bus driver who perished in a crash along the Font Hill main road in St Elizabeth on Thursday morning as 50-year-old Junior Ramsay of Fort Williams in Westmoreland.

About 3 a.m., Ramsay was reportedly transporting 18 passengers in his Toyota Hiace bus when the crash occurred.

Ramsay was taken to the Black River Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Fourteen of the passengers were injured.

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch, Gary McKenzie, said it's unclear why the crash occurred.

"The bus crashed into a tree. In fact, the bus climbed the tree about 10 feet. When we examined the scene, it was clear there were swerve marks from the middle of the road, off the road way onto the tree," McKenzie said.

"Based on the information that we have gathered so far; it would appear that there might have been some level of distraction that caused the crash. At that time of the morning there was not a lot of traffic," McKenzie added.

He is urging public passenger operators to exercise caution on the roads.

"This bus had 18 lives on it plus the driver. The driver unfortunately has died and 14 persons are in hospital and other various medical facilities," he added.

Approximately 180 persons have died in motor vehicle crashes in the parish to date.

- Ashley Anguin

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