Baxter's Mountain students marooned, rescue effort called off

Heavy rains yesterday disrupted classes at Baxter’s Mountain Primary in St Mary and left the entire school population marooned with rescue attempts aborted.

A fire truck that attempted to carry-out a rescue mission had to abandon its plan on Wednesday as rising water levels at a ford leading to the school remained impassable to vehicular traffic and pedestrians.

“So, after the fire truck was unable to cross at the ford, we took the decision, in ensuring that the children (students) are kept safe," said Sherene Harris, principal at Baxter’s Mountain Primary School.

“The students, along with others including teachers, will be spending the night at school. We are preparing rice and corned beef for supper, so they will be fed. The rain has not subsided and, as a matter of fact, it has gotten more intense. I am not sure what Thursday (today) will bring, but the safety of the students comes first.

“We have made numerous requests and appeals to the powers that be for a bridge to be built across the ford, which would guarantee access to and from the school and likewise into the community. There were never any forecasts about rain, but it has happened, and we are marooned. I cannot say how long this will last, but unless the rains subside, we will have to remain here, “she added.

Yesterday, some students who boarded a taxi earlier at the school, intending to get home, were brought back to school as the area approaching the ford and beyond was deemed impassable to vehicular traffic and pedestrians. Approximately 45 students and four teachers were up to last night stranded at the school.

In the meantime, Christopher Brown, the member of parliament for St Mary Southeast, said several areas including Long Road, Broadgate, Camberwell, and Baxter’s Mountain, are affected due to flooding, which seriously restricted the movement of some residents.

"I have received reports that in the district of Long Road and Camberwell residents are blocked in due to landslides," said Brown.

He added that, "additionally, the area of Baxter’s Mountain is affected as a result of the ford, which is experiencing an overflow, and teachers and students are marooned. I'm in touch with the National Works Agency (NWA), which is aware of the situation, and their team is on the ground. I am urging residents in the affected areas to be on the alert and for them to take every precaution during this period of rainfall.

“We know that the districts of Long Road, Camberwell, Baxter’s Mountain, and sections of Fort George, that entire belt, is where we are having the greatest problems. We know that there are issues in the Broadgate area. The NWA is fully mobilised, but the rains continue to fall and we are hoping that it will subside somewhat to facilitate the clearance effectively, to allow those who are marooned in the various districts to have access in and out.”

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