Hearse crashes into police bus

Family members mourning the death of a loved one yesterday had a bit of excitement at the funeral service as the hearse transporting the body of the deceased crashed into a police bus on the way to the cemetery. Sunday Newsday understands that the incident occurred just before midday yesterday. According to reports, the hearse had just left the Holy Trinity Cathedral on Hart Street, Port-of-Spain, and had turned right onto Abercromby Street to make its way to the cemetery.

According to the driver of the hearse, Orlando Allen of Allen’s Funeral Home, “I was driving as I normally would, and all of a sudden, I just picked up a skid.” The out of control hearse crashed into the back of a police bus which was at the time transporting recruits to the front of the Red House. The front end of the hearse was totally wrecked upon impact, however the driver escaped with only minor injuries. The police recruits, who were visibly shaken by the accident, were taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital for minor treatment.

Relatives and friends who attended the funeral service gathered at the scene of the accident. Most of them expressed concern over how the body would get to the burial site since the hearse had been badly damaged. However quick thinking relatives summoned another hearse from the Clarke and Battoo funeral home, and the body was transferred for its final ride. Allen was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital for observation after being interviewed by officers of the Port-of-Spain Traffic Branch. Investig-ations are continuing.