PORTLAND, Jamaica —People’s National Party (PNP) Caretaker for Portland Western, Doreen Campbell, is demanding answers following what she describes as a near-tragic incident on a school bus earlier this month.

According to Campbell, on December 1, a 14-year-old Marymount High School student from Buff Bay was thrown from a moving yellow school bus.

In a release on Saturday, Campbell said the vehicle was overcrowded, with children standing on the steps. It is alleged that another student who was a passenger pulled the emergency lever, causing the door to open and the girl to fall out of the bus. She narrowly avoided being struck by the rear wheel.

The caretaker cited reports that the victim was taken to hospital and diagnosed with soft tissue injuries to her knees and face, rendering her unable to walk for nearly two weeks.

“This raises grave concerns. Who operates these buses, the Ministry of Transport or Ministry of Education? Who bears the duty of care? Why has no representative from the Ministry of Transport or Education contacted the family? Why was there no supervisor onboard, as Minister [Daryl] Vaz promised?” asked Campbell.

The PNP caretaker claimed that despite the matter being referred to minister Vaz’s office, the family has not heard from him.

“I call on the relevant authority to provide this child with necessary support psychologically and physically to help prevent future medical complications. We must ensure our children’s safety is never compromised by bureaucratic failure,” said Campbell.