WESTERN BUREAU:
TWO PEOPLE were admitted to hospital in a critical condition yesterday following a collision involving three motorcycles from Kingston on their way to a beach trip in Montego Bay, and a motorcar.
The Montego Bay police report that about 11.50 a.m. about 16 motorcyclists were travelling towards Montego Bay. On reaching the Rose Hall main road, they were signalled to stop by a Highway Patrol policeman.
According to the police, the first rider slowed and was about to stop when at least two bikes travelling immediately behind him slammed into the rear of his bike. Four persons suffered injuries and were taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital, Montego Bay, where two were admitted in critical condition.
Eye-witnesses said the motorcyclists were riding along when a Highway Patrol officer stepped into the road from behind a tree and pointed a gun at the group.
An off-duty policeman officer who was travelling with the motorcyclists, told The Gleaner that the first biker indicated to the rest of the group that he was about to stop, but they did not see the signal.
He said "the second biker lost control of the motorcycle and slammed into the rear of the first bike. A woman, who was a pillion rider on the second bike, was thrown off the bike and crashed into the front of a blue Suzuki Swift, which had stopped.
The pillion rider, Sandy Thompson, 20, a student of Granville, St. James, suffered a gash to the forehead and was knocked unconscious. She has been transferred to the Kingston Public Hospital.
Lester Francis, 39, of 50 Hanover Street, Kingston, was admitted to the Cornwall Regional Hospital, Montego Bay, with a broken left arm, among other injuries. Marlon Fletcher, of 2 Glasspole Avenue, Kingston 2, and Daren Davis of Swamp Lane, Bog Walk, St. Catherine, were treated and released.
