I Saw Him Lying There: A Mother’s Plea After a Tragedy in Ferry written by Kenniesha Burrell
Ferry, St. Andrew — I didn't know his name. I had never met him. But I saw him lying there.
A child — an innocent, 11-year-old student — on the side of the road, his school uniform still fresh from the day. His little body still. His life forever changed — or lost — in a moment that should never have happened.
As a mother, witnessing that scene has left a mark on my heart I may never fully recover from. But if it’s this painful for me, imagine what his mother must be feeling right now. There are no words deep enough to hold that kind of pain.
This is not just about one family’s heartbreak. This is about all of us — as a community, as a country. We all share a responsibility to protect our children. Today, I am speaking not just as a witness, but as a mother, and on behalf of mothers everywhere who know what it is to pray your child makes it home safely.
🚸 A Call to Motorists: Slow Down. Pay Attention.
To the motorists — please, please observe the speed limits, especially in school zones. That moment of rushing to get somewhere faster is never worth the cost of a child’s life.
When you see a child in uniform, on foot, crossing a road, or walking along the shoulder — slow down. Be ready to stop. Be the adult they can count on to do the right thing.
🛑 To the Government: Do What Must Be Done
The road where this happened — a busy, chaotic stretch of Ferry — lacks basic safety infrastructure. I don’t remember seeing a proper pedestrian crossing. No barriers. No clear school zone signs. No school crossing guard. Nothing.
I am calling on the Government of Jamaica and local authorities to take urgent action:
- Install pedestrian bridges or raised crosswalks in school zones.
- Create proper bus bays and shelters to keep students safe from speeding traffic.
- Plant police officers or wardens during school hours to manage traffic and protect students.
- Declare this road — and many others like it — official school zones. And enforce it.
This is not too much to ask. Our children are worth it.
🤝 To Other Mothers: Let’s Stand Together
If you're a mother who is able to walk your child to and from the bus stop, or pick them up from school, please do it. Even when you're tired. Even when the road is familiar. Familiar roads can still become dangerous — especially for little feet.
Let’s help each other. Let’s check in with the children we see on the road. Let’s not look away.
🌱 Tips for a Safer School Journey
- Teach your children to use sidewalks and avoid walking too close to the road.
- Remind them to look both ways before crossing and never assume drivers will stop.
- Dress them in bright colours or reflective gear if they walk in the evening.
- Encourage them to walk in groups when possible.
- Advocate with your community for speed bumps, crosswalks, and signage in school areas.
💔 To the Grieving Mother: You Are Not Alone
To the mother now mourning the loss of your beautiful child — my heart is with you. I cannot begin to know your pain, but I want you to know that your child is not forgotten.
You are not alone. There are mothers all across Jamaica — myself included — holding space for your grief. Cry if you must. Scream if you need to. But please know that we are wrapping you in prayer, in strength, and in sisterhood.
One day, when you are ready, your voice will help make the roads safer for someone else’s child. But today, just breathe. Just hold on.
🧡 Let This Be the Moment We Change
Let this not be just another sad headline. Let this be the turning point where we say: no more.
No more children dying on our roads.
No more parents burying their sons and daughters.
No more silence.
To every motorist, policymaker, teacher, officer, and parent — we all matter in this fight. Let’s rise together. For our children. For their future. For the one we just lost.
Comments
Post a Comment