Three die in bus crash

The police say the driver of the bus which crashed into an embankment resulting in the death of three Holmwood students in Christiana, Manchester, yesterday morning remains on the run.

The accident reportedly occurred about 8:30 a.m., when the bus driver failed to negotiate a corner and crashed into an embankment.

The students who all died on the spot have been identified as Lyonsia Wright, Patrine Clarke and Venecia Buckley, all students of the Holmwood Technical High School.

In the meantime, a man identified as Anthony Brown, who was the conductor on the bus, reportedly died at hospital.

Almost a week ago the Holmwood Technical High School celebrated victory at the ISSA/ GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championship in Kingston.

The school is now recording its third consecutive year that students have lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes.

It is also reported that about 15 other Holmwood students were also injured in the accident. The police say that 21 persons were travelling in the bus.

At least three students were said to be in critical condition while two were airlifted to the Kingston Public Hospital yesterday.

When THE WEEKEND STAR visited the school there were sombre faces and teary eyes all around. The overcast day reflected the general feeling expressed by students and staff. Principal Paul Bailey, obviously shaken by the incident, said "it is a sad day in the life of the school".

Bailey said he was grateful for the support other schools in the area were showing. Those schools provided their counsellors to conduct grief-counselling sessions with the students and staff.

While the police had not yet determined the cause of the accident, an officer on the scene said he suspected speeding and a defective tyre were major contributors to the crash.