SHELDON WILLIAMS, STAR Writer

Four employees of the National Solid Waste Management Authority(NSWMA) died in a motor vehicle crash in Ewarton, St Catherine, yesterday morning after the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a trailer.

Police reports indicate that the accident occurred at about 5:55 a.m in Mount Rosser.

Dead are 38-year-old Alvin Mitchell of Dee Cee Avenue in Tivoli Gardens, Kingston 14; Everett Campbell of Wellington Avenue in Mona, Kingston 7; 28-year-old Ricardo Salmon of a Mandeville, Manchester address; and 38-year-old Michael Mitchell of Ferry district in St Andrew.

The Ewarton police reported that Mitchell was driving an Isuzu motor truck from Linstead towards St Ann. On reaching a section of the road, he reportedly attempted to overtake a truck and collided head-on with a Freightliner motor truck that was travelling in the opposite direction.

injured persons

Alvin, Campbell and Salmon died on the spot, while Michael Mitchell was pronounced dead at hospital. The injured persons are still being treated in hospital.

At least 14 other persons were hospitalised following the accident.

Investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the NSWMA, Joan Gordon-Webley explained to THE STAR that employees were in a melancholic state of mind.

She emphasised that " everyone is saddened, and the entire NSWMA has been plunged into grieving.What we at the offices are doing is setting up counselling, not just for the staff but the families also,".

Gordon-Webley also assured THE STAR that the NSWMA has been putting measures in place to ensure that those who were injured in the crash experienced no delay in getting prioritised treatment.

" We have been moving up and down with the other men to ensure that they get the required treatments" which included ultrasound and x-rays, Gordon-Webley added.

At the same time, she explained to THE STAR that "the doctors have said that their injuries are not life-threatening".