BY FABIAN LEDGISTER, Staff Reporter
The twisted remains of two out of seven vehicles that crashed along Highway 2000, on Saturday. The wreck was caused by poor visibility from bush fire smoke. - FABIAN LEDGISTER
SEVEN CARS CRASHED along Highway 2000 last Saturday afternoon because drivers were blinded by a blanket of smoke from an out-of-control bush fire beside the road.
Up to press time, there were no reports of fatalities but police say that several persons were taken to hospital, with two in serious condition.
Victims of the wreck, along with residents blame those in charge of Highway 2000, for not closing the highway (in the face of impending danger), or taking some action to ensure the safety of it's customers (drivers).
"There was nothing we could do or see ... we were driving through the smoke and we jus hear BLUM-BLUM-BLUM and den we jus get caught in it. Someone must have panicked and brake up," said the driver of a black Nissan Sunny, who got caught in the collision.
Reports are that about 12:30 p.m., a fire of unknown origin exhumed excessive smoke unto the highway, decreasing visibility on the roadway and resulting in a seven-car collision.
Residents say the smoke had been billowing across the highway for approximately two hours before the accident occurred.
"From after ten di road smoke up ... mi tell mi fren seh if dem nuh lock off di highway accident mus gwaan," said a resident of Windsor Park.
Police have refuted claims from residents that the fire was burning for some time though, saying they had surveyed the area, and saw no danger.
"These people are fibbing ... we passed here less than an hour before and there wasn't any smoke hazard," said an officer on the scene.
BUSH FIRES
Firefighters at the scene say the fire started in some bushes near the roadway. The blaze burnt through the highway's fencing and right up to the asphalt, billowing thick smoke in the process.
"We do not know what started the bush fire, but it is the cause of the accident ... this is the dry season and bush fires will be frequent at this time," said District Officer Norris Munroe, of the Spanish Town Fire Station.
When contacted, the Managing Director of Trans-Jamaica Ltd., Trevor Jackson, said from information received from operators, the incident had occurred "very quickly," giving them no window of opportunity to react.
"Operators told me that the fire spread quickly before any safety measures could be instituted ... we would normally set up warning signals for traffic, and call in the fire department to put out the fire," said Trevor Jackson.
Trans-Jamaica stated that a full report on the matter is being put together, and that necessary steps to avoid a repeat of this incident will be taken.
Regardless, irate drivers are asking who is responsible for this accident, as well as who will suffer the cost of the damage.
"This is gross negligence on the part of Highway 2000 for not closing the highway with such a major hazard. I need to know who will be paying for all of this, because this is no fault of mine," said Neville Brown, the driver of a Suzuki motorcar that was caught in the melee.
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