By John Myers Jr., Staff ReporterSORROW ENGULFED the Fair Prospect High School in Portland yesterday after a member of the teaching staff collapsed suddenly and died shortly after complaining of having a headache.
The teacher was identified as Robert Ming, 53 years old of Blackrock district, Fair Prospect, Portland. Mr. Ming had been teaching Mathematics at the school for 28 years and was the football coach at the time of his passing.
PAIN IN HIS HEAD
"He complained of feeling a pain in his head and (suddenly) fall on his head back on the concrete," said Joanita Martin, acting vice-principal at the school. She told The Gleaner the incident occurred about 9:20 a.m. while Mr. Ming was speaking to one of the groundsmen.
He was reportedly rushed to the Port Antonio hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
TRAGEDY
The acting vice-principal said the sudden passing of Mr. Ming has not been taken lightly by the school community. She said school was dismissed early as students and staff members were overwhelmed by the tragedy.
Mr. Ming was described as a jovial and very friendly person and was loved by the school community. Mrs. Martin said he did not complain of feeling ill before, in fact, she said "I saw him passing (moments before) with a pretty bag in his hand and I said to him is your girlfriend you going to give that and we were laughing."
She said his contribution to the school over the years has been invaluable and he will be sadly missed by all.
