Damion Mitchell, News Coordinator - Radio

The Office of the Public Defender has launched a probe into the issues surrounding the injury of 14 people resulting from Sunday's collapse of the Mahoe Bridge in St. Mary.

Public Defender Earl Witter says a team from his office is scheduled to visit the community today to begin its investigations.

Both the National Works Agency and the St. Mary Parish Council are denying responsibility for the maintenance of the structure. But Mr. Witter says at least one of the organisations must be held accountable.

"It seems to us on the face of it that there is culpable negligence either on the part of the National Works Agency or the parish council," he said. "The entire community must be embarrassed by this unseemly debate that is going on between these two authorities."

Mr. Witter says he is particularly concerned about the 14 people who were injured when the bridge collapsed on Sunday night. He also says he is worried about schoolchildren and other residents who are unable to conduct their usual activities because of the collapsed structure.

Classes suspended

Classes have been suspended at the Mahoe Hill All-Age School since Monday, as the bridge was the only means to get to the institution.

Yesterday, Transport and Works Minister Robert Pickersgill led a delegation from his ministry on a tour of the affected community. He promised that alternative arrangements would soon be finalised for students of the Mahoe Hill All-Age School. "Our first priority is to house these students," Mr. Pickersgill said.

The students are to be housed at the Mahoe Hill Community Centre. However, up to yesterday the facility was lacking certain basic requirements.

In the meantime, community members have been assisting in putting in place furniture and other items necessary for the children to begin using the centre.

Mr. Pickersgill was unable to say when the bridge would be repaired, but says efforts are being made to rehabilitate the structure.

St. Mary correspondent, Lisia Lynch, contributed to this story.