Forteen accident victims laid to rest

Emotions ran high on Wednesday, November 23 with the funerals of 14 victims from the Morne Sion accident earlier this month. The ceremony was in the form of a National Ecumenical Service held on the Micoud Playing Field. From early on hundreds flooded the grounds in an attempt to be on time for the viewing of the bodies, which started from 11am.

An invitation was issued by government to members of the public who wished to attend in a show of support for the family and on Wednesday it was quite a chaotic scene as regular people crowded the area where all 14 coffins lay, not giving family members a chance to say goodbye. At one point the master of ceremonies had to instruct everyone to vacate the area to give the family a chance for a proper goodbye.

It was no easy task for family and friends to say their final farewells and several persons overcome with emotions wailed and screamed openly and well wishers tried their best to calm them down. Several people lost more than one family member in the accident and it seemed as if most were still in disbelief. During the viewing of the bodies it got to the point where several people fainted, but thankfully there was an emergency response unit set up on the field that responded immediately.

After the viewing of the bodies, it was down to the official funeral service. Family members, friends and classmates of the accident victims all made special tributes. Attendees to Wednesday’s service included prime minister Stephenson King, opposition leader Kenny Anthony, Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, other government officials, teachers, students and members of the public.

The remaining three accident victims will be laid to rest on Friday, November 25 in their community of Babonneau. Two victims of the tragedy, Michaela Alexander and Darius Modeste still have not been found.