Grieving relatives are remembering 16-year-old Jodea Seline and 30-year-old teacher Jerome Bernard as disciplined, committed, and deeply devoted to their school community, as they grapple with the aftermath of Friday’s fatal minibus crash.
The accident occurred along the Number 62 Public Road, Corentyne.
Shamella Glasgow, mother of the deceased teenager, in an interview with Ignite News, recalled her daughter’s final hours.
“Well, I dropped her at the school the morning and that was it until she call and say mommy Sir Jerome said she has to go to sports, so I told her I’m coming. I went and give her passage and she leave. I went in Rose Hall picking up my son from lesson when I got a call around 6:30pm and they said that she reach up in an accident. I asked them person anything serious, they said the small sister critical and they don’t know nothing about the other one… Well I find out from some students who were next me (at the hospital) and they said the Sir pull from a horse.”
Shamella’s younger daughter, age 13, who was also on the bus, is still under medical observation.
Bernard’s family described the young teacher and driver as someone who consistently put students first. His aunt, Brenda Lewis, said he was known for volunteering to transport children to school activities.
“He always go to nationals, he got to all the activities when it comes to athletics in Region Six and he always take them out… this is not the first time. He took them the Wednesday and Thursday. He came to me, he said, ‘Aunty, I’m going to take the children.’ I said, ‘Okay, go, travel safe.’ But at the dot of 5, 6 o’clock, we had the horrible, horrible news.”
Police said the tragedy unfolded when the minibus, transporting students to a school athletics championship, overturned after Bernard, 31, reportedly lost control of the vehicle.
Jodea Seline died on arrival at the Number 75 Regional Hospital, while Bernard succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Three passengers—including Bernard and two teen girls—were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital due to their critical condition. Fourteen others remain hospitalised in stable condition.
A post-mortem examination is pending. An investigation is underway.
