KINGSTON, Jamaica — The young schoolgirl, Kendra Rose, who was one of three students injured by a falling boulder as they made their way to Merrywood Primary School in St Elizabeth earlier this month, remains hospitalised in an unconscious state at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth North West, Andrew Morris, provided the update on Tuesday during his contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives. He also shared that all medical fees for Rose’s treatment have been waived.

Morris noted that the “heartbreaking incident” occurred on the Merrywood to Breadnut Walk stretch. “Three children were severely injured by falling boulders while forced to use an abandoned train track as an alternative route to get to Merrywood Primary School. No child should risk life and limb just to seek an education,” he said.

READ: Three children injured after being hit by boulder in St Elizabeth

The first-term MP told the House that following dialogue with Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon and Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton and his team, “I am relieved to announce that all medical fees related to care for Kendra Rose have been waived…,” Morris said.

He also shared that the other two children were treated and released from hospital but are still undergoing treatment.

“I have made visits to the hospital and their homes and offered support to the families. Furthermore, I have engaged in constructive dialogue with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Minister Floyd Green, concerning the rehabilitation of the road from Merrywood to Breadnut Walk under the Farm Road Programme to ensure this tragedy is never repeated,” Morris said.

He also pointed out that his constituents face dangerous roadway breakaways that threaten to cut off entire communities, specifically in Ginger Hill, Pisgah, Cornwall, Retirement and Jointwood.

— Lynford Simpson