Boy who died after being hit by JUTC bus identified

 

The family of a 10-year-old boy is in mourning after he was killed in a crash involving a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus in Vineyard Town, St. Andrew. 

 

The child, identified as Shamarie Sharpe - a Grade 5 student of Mountain View Primary School - died after he was hit by the bus on 4th Avenue about 7:32 a.m. 

 

Reports say the JUTC bus was travelling north along 4th Avenue when it struck Shamari causing severe injuries. He was rushed to Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

 

Radio Jamaica News understands that he was walking along the roadway when he reportedly stepped into the path of the bus as he tried to get around a car that was parked along the road. 

 

A resident said that the visibly shaken female driver of the bus was taken from the scene by the police. 

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Lucien Jones, Vice Chair of the National Road Safety Council, said he is concerned about the number of children being killed in road mishaps. 

 

Fifteen children have been killed along the nation's roads since the start of the year. 

 

Dr. Jones is urging parents to ensure the safety of their children travelling to and from school. 

 

"Most of the deaths in this age group, 0 to 18, have involved children riding on a motorcycle but some including this young child have died as pedestrians trying to find their way home safely. This of course raises the issue of how do we as a nation that cares for our very vulnerable young people ensure that they reach home safely, day after day, coming from school? Is it that our children need more supervision? For example, should an adult or older sibling be there for them when they come off the bus and walk home or when walking the entire distance from school? 

 

"Should they try to expand the school bus system so that no child is left behind to fend for his or herself? How old is old enough to negotiate the ever present traffic on the streets of the nation's capital or any other busy thoroughfare in Jamaica?" he questioned, posing food for thought. 

 

Some 334 road fatalities have been recorded so far this year.