JAMAICA Observer online readers have reacted with sympathy and anger to the death of 13-year-old Brittanie Cohen, who was washed away during heavy rains in St Thomas on Tuesday. Brittanie was on her way home from school when she met her demise. Here are some edited comments.

Chapter1

What a loss! Sweet little angel. I feel it fi little Britt.

peejay the original

@Chapter1: My Chapter, your post touched me sincerely; my eyes were watering. It is a sad loss, for real, when it could have been prevented.

reggaeembasador

Such a sad and tragic story; my heart goes out to you, mother. I would like to see the new Government concentrate some effort on rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, including our roads and our bridges.

Marjorie Crawford-Dunn

@reggaeembasador: There is never any help for under-developed communities. Both parties always concentrate on areas that are more comfortable. I have no faith in any of them.

boldface warrior

Oh, what anguish and pain! Some people have it real hard. Dear Lord, help us, even though many of us deny you.

jah roy

So, so sad; my condolence to the family. Heartbreaking.

PhilT McNasty

Tragic indeed! Sleep in peace, young one.

Nicky

So sad. Family keep the faith and pray for strength.

noshel

Sad. My condolence to her family, friends and classmates. Now that the Government has data on this flood, I hope they will use it to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.

George Gray

RIP little one. Our prayers are that her family and friends find comfort in Christ.

fieldgar

The bus had to abort the trip because of rising flood waters? This sounds like gross negligence on the part of the driver and whoever was responsible for the transportation of these children.

Jammin

I am sad, but also angry. Why isn’t there an arrangement in place to protect students when there is heavy rainfall, whether by the schools or by the Ministry of Education? How many times must this happen? Or is it because it’s always poor people pickney, so we don’t care? The way we treat our children says a lot about us as a nation!

Nathan777

My sincere and heartfelt condolences goes out to the family and friends of this beautiful, young angel. May she rest in peace, and may the grace of God be with the family during this time of grief and sorrow…The parish of St Thomas is highly neglected, look at the destruction that has taken place because of a few heavy showers.

emancia outerbridge

Very sad for all.

suzie

So sad. RIP little one.

Wesbo

RIP Brittanie Cohen; taken away tragically at such a young age.

Marjorie Crawford-Dunn

I am at a loss for words. Can’t imagine the pain her mother is feeling. God help them and give strength. So very sad.

XAMYCA

So very unfortunate for her to meet such an untimely end.

Mel alwaz doing well

As a mother reading this, it is so heartbreaking; prayers of comfort for the Green family. Thanks also to all the adults that stepped in to help.

Peter Sparks

This is sad.

CeeCee

Boy, mi confuse star… oh gosh man… rip little one.

Lindel McCormack

When words are inadequate to express our feelings, tears are a language God understands. RIP little Brittanie.

C465Kelly

My condolences go out to her family, friends, and relatives. May her soul, mind, and body RIP. My prayers go out to everybody who was involved in her life.

tyroneosborne

The loss of a child is such a painful thing; it is so hard to understand, unless you actually experience it. My prayers and condolence to Miss Green and her family. I can only pray that the Lord gives her strength to carry on life’s cruel journey .

Jamaicans Unite ByLisa

This hurts my heart, I swear. Condolence to the family.

Boysie

So tragic. If this kid is not new to the area, she must know about these places where the water ‘comes down’ when it rains heavily. I hope some new policies are implemented as a result of this tragedy.