Black River, St Elizabeth

Tragedy marred the beginning of the new year as three persons were killed in a road crash along the Brompton main road in St Elizabeth.

Those killed have been identified as 25-year-old Raj Caudwell from Lewis Town, OJay Facey and a man known as 'Balla', both of Goshen in the parish.

Two other persons were hospitalised as a result of the accident that occurred about 3:30 p.m. when the driver of a Mitsubishi Lancer lost control of the vehicle and it slammed into the left side of a truck.

Reports are that the Mitsubishi Lancer, with six persons aboard, was travelling west towards Sandy Ground when, on reaching the Brompton Square, the driver of the car lost control. The car swerved towards the right side of the road and ended up between the truck, which was travelling east towards Brompton, and a light pole.

The three men died on the spot while the injured were rushed to the Black River Hospital where two were admitted and a third unidentified person was released.

Persons who claimed to be eyewitnesses to the crash reported that speeding was the cause of the incident. Personnel attached to the Black River Police Station, who visited the scene along with medical personnel and citizens from the area, were unable to release the injured from the wreckage for some time.

The truck driver, Nicholas Hart, also of a St Elizabeth address, said he was taken by surprise when he saw the Lancer coming towards him. He said he was uncertain about how the car got between his truck and the light pole.

The Black River Traffic Department is carrying out investigations.