KINGSTON, Jamaica — A devastating early-morning bus crash in central Jamaica’s Clarendon parish has left dozens of high school students injured, prompting Jamaica’s Ministry of Education to launch a coordinated support effort for affected students and their families. The collision, which occurred at approximately 7:57 a.m. Wednesday near the May Pen entrance to the Williamsfield Toll Road, unfolded when a passenger coaster bus collided with a concrete median, leaving a total of 41 people hurt — 39 of whom are enrolled at Garvey Maceo High School.
In the hours following the incident, the Ministry of Education mobilized its regional support network to respond to the crisis. An educational social worker from the ministry’s Region 7 was immediately dispatched to local hospitals to provide emotional counseling, moral support and practical guidance to injured students and their loved ones, who have grappled with the shock of the traumatic event. Ministry officials confirmed that regional response teams will remain embedded with Garvey Maceo High School through the recovery process, offering sustained assistance to everyone impacted by the crash.
As of early Thursday, positive progress has been reported in the students’ conditions. Out of the 39 injured students, 23 have already been released from hospital care to return home, while three remain admitted for continued medical treatment and close observation. The remaining 13 injured students received on-site or in-hospital care, including intravenous hydration, though as of the ministry’s latest statement, no official update has been shared on whether this group has since been discharged.
Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon confirmed that the ministry will maintain close coordination with school administrators, local healthcare authorities and emergency response teams to track developments, and will share formal public updates as new information is verified. In an official statement released Thursday, the ministry noted that it is “grateful that a number of students have already been discharged, and we continue to pray for the full recovery of those who remain under medical care.”
Beyond emotional and medical support, the ministry has also arranged for holistic assistance for the entire school community, including students, parents, guardians and school staff who have been affected by the incident. “Support is being provided to ensure that students, parents, guardians and staff receive the necessary assistance during this time,” the statement added.
In a public appeal, the ministry urged Jamaican residents to only share information from official government sources to avoid spreading unconfirmed rumors, and asked the public to respect the privacy of the injured students and their families as they navigate recovery. The ministry also called on community members to join in praying for the full and speedy recovery of all those hurt in the crash.