Gareth Davis, Sr, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Port Antonio, Portland:

FOURTEEN BODIES, including that of a 10-year-old boy, were recovered from a precipice at Dam Bridge in the Rio Grande Valley of Portland, Friday, after a truck transporting higglers to market in Kingston overturned.

It took rescue teams from the police, the fire department, the Ministry of Health, the Port Antonio Hospital and Pihl Construction Company, as well as residents the better part of 15 hours to remove all the bodies, some of which were trapped underneath the truck.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding arrived by helicopter about 9 a.m. yesterday and toured the accident site, accompanied by Daryl Vaz, member of parliament (MP) for West Portland

"This is a major catastrophe," Golding said. "My condolence goes out to the bereaved families, and I have to especially thank the brave citizens who used bottle torches so as to see and access a pathway down this precipice to render assistance to their fellowmen. It is during emergency cases like this one that we see the real Jamaican spirit of love and unity," he remarked. He said that arrangements would be made to provide comfort and assistance to the families of the deceased persons. He has since appointed Vaz, a state minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, to lead this effort.

East Portland MP Dr Donald Rhodd also assisted with the coordination of rescue efforts.

Hundreds of curious onlookers and scores of local volunteers flocked to the scene of the crash, hoping for whatever bit of good news they could get.

Some climbed atop a nearby hill, others went down the slippery slope for a glimpse of the market truck, the tailgate of which was being washed by the cold water below.

Among the curious eyes were those of Prime Minister Golding who stood precariously close to the edge. His face was bland and he hardly moved as the workmen worked feverishly to pull the ill-fated Ford truck from the precipice.

Around him there were screams of agony and despair and a "Christmas mash up!" chorus which echoed in the cool Portland hills.

Major freak accident

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Dudley Scott said they were "treating the situation as a major freak accident". According to the commanding officer for the parish, "It is the worst road accident ever recorded in the parish and is also probably the worst ever recorded islandwide in terms of fatality in a single day."

According to police accounts, the truck, which was loaded with a variety of agricultural produce, was transporting 21 persons to Coronation Market in Kingston, shortly after 8 p.m. Friday when it stopped and was reversing along the narrow roadway to allow a car to pass when its left rear wheels went over the precipice.

Several persons were reportedly crushed on impact and others were thrown from the vehicle. A survivor, Headley Evans, told The Sunday Gleaner that he held on to an overhead rail on the truck and uttered "Save me, oh God!"

"I was scared, but felt lucky to be alive," he said. "After I cleared my head, I also assisted with removing two women who were both pinned down among bags of dasheens, yams and plantains."

Struggling to come to grips

Firefighters, who worked tirelessly, are still struggling to come to grips with the horrific accident, which has left thousands mourning in various communities in the Rio Grande Valley, including Comfort Castle, Mill Bank, Seaman's Valley, Cornwall Barracks and Ginger House.

"This has been one of the most challenging rescue missions undertaken by firefighters," said George Brown, district officer of the Port Antonio Fire Brigade. "We were on the scene before 9 p.m. Friday assisting with rescue efforts, with the knowledge that an individual, who was still alive, was trapped underneath the truck."

And after being trapped for more than six and a half hours, Lynford Jackson was removed from underneath the 30-foot truck, alive, but only because of the dedication, resilience and professionalism displayed by a medical team from the Port Antonio Hospital.

Rackell Wilson, a nurse, related the ordeal to The Sunday Gleaner: "He kept crying for help. We were determined to keep him alive at all costs. I said to myself, 'Please, God! Help me to save this man's life', and that really kept us going. It is the most gruesome sight I have ever seen, but I am happy and relieved that we were able to save the life of a human being."

Jackson was transferred to St Ann's Bay Hospital in a critical, but stable condition, while four other persons - Balford Richards, Veronica Cockrane, Novlette Fuller and Joyce White - were admitted to the Port Antonio Hospital.

The dead

Among those who died in the accident are a mother known only as Sandra and her 10-year-old son, Neiko Palmer; another mother and son - Joyce Scott and 21-year-old Feston Telfer; Beverley Bernard; Fay Dillon; Lynford Rogers; Pauline Wilson-Taylor and Voilet Fuller.

The dead also include a man wearing dreadlocks, known only as Chippie Dread; a man called Leroy, and three other women known only as Dimple, May May and Beverly.

The police are appealing to anyone knowing the whereabouts of the truck driver, known only as Chris, to contact them as he is needed to facilitate their investigation.