BRADES, Montserrat – Government officials in Montserrat plan to offer grief counseling to the relatives of the victims of the Sunday’s plane crash in Antigua that claimed three lives.Deputy Premier Charles Kirnon who also has responsibility for aviation said Montserrat was plunged into a state mourning following news of the incident.

“The government and people of Montserrat are deeply saddened by the incident yesterday (Sunday). The government will be looking at offering grief counseling to the relatives of the victims of the plane crash. This incident has touched us all” he said.

On Sunday afternoon a British Norman Islander nine-seat aircraft operated by Fly Montserrat crashed shortly after takeoff from the V.C. Bird International Airport.

There were three passengers on board along with the pilot, Jason Forbes who was pronounced dead on the scene. A woman, later identified as Annya Duncan, a Jamaican national and teacher at the Montserrat Secondary School was also pronounced dead.

On Monday morning a team from the Education Ministry, the Mental Health unit and the Montserrat Christian Council visited the school to offer support to the students and teachers mourning the loss of Duncan, who taught Mathematics and Integrated Science.

A candlelight vigil will be held at the school on Tuesday evening to remember her.

A 50-year old Guyanese woman was the other victim. She died shortly after arriving at the Mount Saint John Medical Centre.

 The sole survivor is a British national, who was said to have sustained bruises, lacerations and a broken ankle. None of his injuries were life threatening according to official reports.

In a release, Governor Adrian Davis said foreign and commonwealth Office officials in London and the Caribbean are in contact with the sole survivor and his family and are providing assistance.

Meanwhile, the investigation into what may have led to the tragedy is being led by authorities in Antigua and the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority with support from members of the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch.

Fly Montserrat resumed its regular scheduled service on Monday between Antigua, Montserrat and Nevis. The government also increased the ferry service to daily operations to accommodate passengers who may be concerned about travelling by air.