Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Several students at the Swallowfield Primary and Junior High School, St. Andrew, who are to sit the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) in just over two weeks, were left traumatised on Wednesday after their teacher collapsed in front of them and later died at hospital.

"About 1:30 p.m., I saw students running from the classroom and said their teacher fainted," principal of the school, Al Solan, told The Gleaner yesterday.

He said that when he and other teachers went to the classroom, Delores Fenton, recently appointed vice-principal, was found lying on her back on the floor. Mr. Solan said attempts were made to resuscitate her and an ambulance was called.

Died at hospital

Mr. Solan said a decision was then taken to transport her to the hospital in a private motor vehicle. He said they stopped at the Constant Spring Police Station to get a patrol car to escort them but there was none available. Ms. Fenton, 50, died shortly after she arrived at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

"The mood of the school was very sombre today (yesterday). We did not confirm anything to the students yesterday (Wednesday)," said Mr. Solan. "The students are traumatised. She was very popular with them and she was a very dedicated and hard-working teacher."

Ms. Fenton had served the institution for 30 years.

He added: "Some of us are still in a state of denial but we are coming to grips with it."

Mr. Solan noted that a special devotion was held with the grade-six students yesterday morning and they received counselling, which had helped tremendously.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com