Coincidence or otherwise.

A wooden cross fitted with 14 light bulbs and posted in front of a Christmas tree in Port Antonio, Portland, is now the centre of attention after the same number of people died in an accident on Friday.

Since the tragic accident, dozens of residents have raised questions as to why a cross was placed at the tree in the first instance, and also how is it that the exact number of bulbs was placed on the cross, which mirrors the number of lives lost. The tree was erected by the Portland Parish Council.

Something sinister

"I believe there is something sinister about this Christmas tree," said Chester 'Johnny Blacka' Simms, from Boundbrook. "Dem can tell mi nutten. Dat cross is a death sign, and seet deh, 14 smaddy dead. Smaddy know wah gwaan."

Ironically, there was a tree lighting ceremony on Friday, just over an hour before the accident in which a truck plunge over a precipice in the Rio Grande Valley.

But Port Antonio's mayor Floyd Patterson, who scoffed upon hearing the complaints, accusations and suspicions of the residents, explained that he hired a carpenter to build a wooden cross without any knowledge of how many sockets were on it to fit bulbs.

"The cross represents the fact that Jesus came into this world as a baby, only to die for our sins," he said. "And that was the only reason why it was placed at the Christmas tree. I am not even aware of how many bulbs are on the cross. Let me categorically say that any other thoughts conceive by individuals is without merit."

Meanwhile residents are maintaining that the cross, bulbs, and Christmas tree, was probably an indication that something tragic was about to happen.