George Henry, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Labour Party supporters continue the dangerous practice of hanging outside the windows of motor vehicles. Here, they sit on the windows ofthis minibus in Spaldings on Tuesday while celebrating their party's victory at the polls. - Photo by George Henry

SPALDINGS, Clarendon:

Eleven supporters of Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) candidate Michael Stern in North West Clarendon were injured when the vehicle they were travelling in crashed.

According to the Member of Parliament-designate, himself and hundreds of JLP supporters were on their victory motorcade from Spaldings to Trout Hall along the Mount Pleasant main road when the incident occurred.

He told The Gleaner that, at about 3:00 p.m. on Monday, while descending a slope along the Mount Pleasant road, one of the vehicles (a Toyota Hiace minibus) experienced problems with its brakes after a motorcar drove across its path. When the driver of the minibus tried to stop to prevent a collision with the motorcar, there was no brake the driver of the minibus was able to skilfully steer the vehicle away from collision, the speeding unit was unable to stop and went over a precipice.

The tightly-loaded vehicle reportedly overturned and was badly damaged. The 11 persons received minor injuries, with the worst being a man who broke his arm. The victims were rushed to the Mandeville Hospital in Manchester where 10 were treated and released. The man with the broken arm was admitted.

Mr. Stern, who went to the hospital with the victims, says he will be ensuring they are properly taken care of, but pleads with supporters to exercise care while driving on the roads as they celebrate his victory at the polls.

He is also calling on all persons to ensure that in their celebration of his election victory, the lives of other road users are not put at unnecessary risk.