Information released by the police has renewed interest among Portland residents that fate, involving the number 14, led to the worst traffic accident in Jamaica in 30 years.

The Gleaner broke the news last month regarding claims by residents that a public Christmas tree with a cross bearing 14 light bulbs, mirrored the number of persons killed in a truck crash in the Rio Grande valley on December 19.

Sergeant Henry Forbes of the Port Antonio Traffic Department told The Gleaner Monday that the fateful day will be long remembered as "the day of the four 14s".

"The day Friday, December 19, started with 14 sealed envelopes arriving from Area Two divisional headquarters to Port Antonio police headquarters," he said. "And, on that same day, 14 police officers - five to the rank of sergeant and nine to the rank of corporal - received promotions."

Despite the growing sentiment that the number 14 had ominous overtones - including the fact that the death truck carried the licence plate CE 1432 - Forbes noted that the events of that day could have been sheer coincidence.

Sacrificial ritual?

"It appears to be a day for the 14s. Many residents are claiming that the day of the accident was as a result of a sacrificial ritual but, for me, it was just an ordinary Friday with some strange events," he added.

Since the tragic accident, dozens of residents have raised questions as to why a cross was placed at the tree in the first instance.

Port Antonio Mayor Floyd Patterson said he was unaware of how many bulbs were on the cross, as he had simply assigned a carpenter to build a wooden cross.

Ironically, the lighting of the Christmas tree occurred a little over an hour before the horrific accident, which claimed the lives of 14 persons - including a 10-year-old boy. The truck, carrying mostly market vendors, plunged over a precipice en route to Kingston.