FIVE days before Christmas Day, at which time loved ones traditionally gather to exchange gifts and spend quality time together, family members, relatives, friends and well-wishers, gathered sadly to bid farewell to Danielle Hanson and Mikhail Campbell, two first-year medical students from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.

They died from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash while they travelled together along Old Hope Road, St Andrew on November 29.

The thanksgiving service for Hanson was held at Kendal Conference Centre in Manchester, while the service for Campbell was held at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.

It was a sad atmosphere at both services, as mourners wept openly for the two aspiring doctors, whom they described as leaders and, had they survived, were expected to make significant contribution to Jamaica’s health sector.

Dr David Hanson, father of Danielle delivered her immediate family’s tribute, while her mother, Kristine Hanson and uncle, Pastor Harry Walcott, stood behind him.

Dr Hanson recalled his last moments with his daughter.

“I lay on the bed and watched her and friends practise their clinical skills for an exam, then hugged her, kissed her, and told her she must remain diligent and just do the work. That was the last time I was to see my daughter,” Dr Hanson said struggling to complete his sentence.

He continued: “Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, faithfulness, self-control, fruits of the Holy spirit were manifested in her.”

Prior to his reflection of his last moments with Danielle, he spoke of the first time he saw her after birth.

“I took a look at the baby and I thought she looked pretty much the same as Mathew (Danielle’s older brother) who was born two years before… except of course for the obvious details,” Dr Hanson said, to chuckles from mourners.

Dr Hanson said that he and his daughter had a “wonderful relationship” which he would not trade for anything else in this world.

He said that from witnessing how he treated his daughter, his mother told him: “You have found your heartstring”.

However, after being in the presence of his mother following Danielle’s death, she said, “Sorry, but your heartstring is gone.”

Martin Carberry, uncle; Jewel Scott, aunt; the Hanson sisters, aunts; Jade-Ashley Carberry, cousin and well-wishers: Flora Garth, Rosamound Walcott, Jewel Scott, and Bunny Rose also delivered tributes.

Prior to Dr Hanson’s tribute, he prayed for the family of Campbell, who was a passenger in the BMW motor car that Hanson was driving when it crashed.

“Father God, you are sovereign, and we bring before you our concerns, not only for our family, but for the family of Mikhail Campbell, who also died in the accident,” he said.

During the service for Campbell’s life, Karl Williams, who delivered the remembrance on behalf of the grieving family, said that the loss of their aspiring medical doctor was a terrible blow, not only to their family, but to the society.

“We can never cope with this loss. Live one day at a time; enjoy one moment at a time. We will never stop loving you. You have gone so unexpectedly and so soon. It has left a huge hole in our hearts. You are such a beautiful, funny and loving son. We will love you always,” Williams said.

The two died after the BMW motor car which Hanson was driving, hit a curb, and she lost control. They were both 19 years old.

Hanson was buried at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, while Campbell was buried at Meadowrest.

The Observer Life Tributes pages show photos of the funeral of Mikhail Campbell.

– Ainsworth Morris