Students shaken up in crash

Four students were taken to the hospital after two cars in which they were travelling collided at the intersection of Hanover and Charles streets in downtown Kingston yesterday.

The incident took place shortly after the Ministry of Education advised schools to end earlier than usual, given the strike by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses earlier yesterday.

Head of the Kingston Central police Superintendent Robert Gordon confirmed the incident and said that he was informed that the children were in stable condition.

“All the children involved in the accident are from Alpha High School (for Girls). All their parents were informed. The children as far as we are concerned are okay,” he said.

Director of Communications for the Ministry of Education, Colin Steer, said that concerns were raised as to whether the students would be able to get home on time given the strike.

“The advisory had to do with the uncertainty of the transport system and the fact that some people were concerned with the fact that it would take their children longer to go home. Up to the time, the information was that the JUTC returning to service would be partial at best. With information from the JUTC and the schools, the ministry made that decision to advise schools to end early,” he said.