Godfrey Stewart High mourns student who died in car crash
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – A pall of gloom blanketed Godfrey Stewart High on Tuesday morning as children and staff paid their respects to 14-year-old Shanique Savariau who died in a two-vehicle collision last weekend.
The teen’s father Alwayne, along with restaurant manager Owen Barnes, also died in the accident that happened along the Little London main road in Westmoreland on Friday night.
In honour of young Shanique, teachers released blue and pink lanterns into the sky.
When Observer Online visited the institution on Tuesday, grief counselling was underway in Shanique’s former grade eight classroom. Her classmates were brought to tears as counsellors spoke with them about the stages of grief.
Speaking with Observer Online, principal of the institution Emily Lawrence-Ricketts said it is an emotional day.
“Today is a short memorial service. It is very emotional for our teachers, especially those who teach her class. We sent up some lanterns in her honour,” a distressed Lawrence Ricketts lamented as she reminisced on the morning’s proceedings.
The headmistress added that in recent times the school has been stalked by a number of deaths. However, she expressed gratitude for all the support she has received from the ministry as well as guidance counsellors from other schools.
Describing young Shanique as a pleasant student, the headmistress said her death has resonated with even school vendors.
“She was one of those very pleasant students who everyone knew. Even the vendors at the fence have been talking about her since the tragic accident that ended her life and [that of] her father,” she said.
According to the police, about 9:40 pm, a Toyota Hiace bus and a motor car were travelling in opposite directions along the roadway when the two vehicles collided. The police were summoned and the injured people were transported to hospital where Shanique, who was a passenger in the Toyota Hiace bus, and the drivers of both vehicles were pronounced dead.
READ: UPDATE: Father, 14-y-o daughter among three killed in Westmoreland crash
