By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
Simmone's mother Dorcel Ebanks (centre) is comforted by friends. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
ON THE eve of Mother's Day, 33-year-old Dorcel Ebanks gripped her stomach and wept in agony. A mother of three, she almost fainted when she was called to the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon to identify the body of her youngest child.
The child, 10-year-old Sim-mone South, a Grade Five student at Crawford Primary, died at about 12:50 p.m. when she was hit by a Toyota Mark II motor car along the Crawford main road.
"She and her sister were selling plums to make up their lunch money," a tearful Ms. Ebanks muttered in between words.
Eyewitnesses said the little girl ran across the road and managed to reach the other side when the speeding car hit and slammed her to a nearby metal post.
"When me tek har up, de neck just rock back to de other wide. A bruck it bruck," said a female relative.
The speeding car returned to the scene after stopping about 120 metres from where the accident occurred. On arrival at the hospital, about three miles away, Simmone was pronounced dead.
JOVIAL PERSON
Ms. Ebanks said it was customary for her children to sell plums at this time of the year. The family would then use the money to assist with their financial needs.
"Simmone was a very jovial person; she always give a lot of jokes," said Ms. Ebanks.
Reacting to the incident, residents from the district mounted a massive roadblock, which resulted in a pile-up of traffic. After a pep-talk from acting Senior Superintendent Herman 'Chucky' Brown, the irate citizens calmed down and allowed the road to be cleared.
The policeman assured them that the matter would be properly investigated and encouraged those who saw the accident to come forward and give statements. He said the police has since detained the car, which will be tested today by a road traffic examiner.
Residents alleged that the car was one of several taxis which have been driven recklessly along the road, despite the drivers knowing that children regularly use the road.
