WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Several people were rushed to hospital for medical treatment following a three-vehicle collision on the Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril Wednesday afternoon.

While the exact number remains unconfirmed, the Negril branch of the Jamaica Fire Brigade has accounted for at least six injured individuals, two of whom are said to be in serious condition.

The Negril fire station responded to the emergency call at 12:59 pm. Upon arrival, emergency responders found three vehicles — a Toyota Coaster bus transporting hotel workers, a Toyota Corolla Fielder station wagon and a Toyota Voxy Multi-purpose Vehicle (MPV) — involved in the crash.

District Officer (DO) assigned to the Negril Fire Station, Raphael Tennant, told Observer Online that several victims had already been transported to the hospital by bystanders before the emergency team arrived.

Two critically injured people were among those remaining on the scene.

“I had one male who seemed to have either spinal injuries or fractured hip because he was in a lot of pain. He was complaining of pain in the neck as well. We had to put him on a spine board and strap him, and he was transported to a [private] hospital,” stated Tennant, who said a female was also seriously injured.

“Those two were the most critical of the lot. Outside of that, there were three other females who were injured but not as bad because they were able to sit up and even stand. They were transported as well to the hospital,” said Tennant,  adding that the driver of the bus was also rushed to hospital.

The rescue operation reportedly experienced difficulties as an ambulance assigned to the Negril Fire Station was out of service.

“Our hands were full and truth be told is that our ambulance was down for some mechanical repairs, so with that being said, I mean that would have helped to complicate the situation. But as always, we would have tried our best with whatever way we possibly could. We contacted the Negril Police and we asked them for assistance in transporting some of the injured. They came on site but then on their arrival, a few persons would have already been transported and the ambulance from private hospital came and it assisted us in transporting those who were left,” stated Tennant.

— Anthony Lewis.