Schoolmates cry for Amanda

SCHOOLMATES and teachers of ten-year-old Amanda Williams, who died from internal injuries suffered in a vehicular accident on February 27 near Couva, cried openly at her funeral service yesterday at the Santa Rosa RC Church. The sermon was delivered by Fr Dwight Black. Williams, a Standard IV student of Arima Girls’ Government School who was due to write the SEA exam later this year, was described as a student with a bright future.

Her teacher, Miss Tyson, said she was an ambitious child with a pleasant disposition. The eulogy was read by Amanda’s sister, Claudine Charles, who said she would always remember Amanda’s infectious smile. Williams was a passenger in a vehicle on her way to visit her grandmother in Couva on February 27, when the driver of the car allegedly tried to avoid hitting another vehicle. The car flipped several times before bursting into flames.

Williams suffered a broken leg and was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH), where she complained of chest pains. Three doctors who attended to Williams told her family that the pain was as a result of the seatbelt being pulled tightly during the accident. However, three hours later it was discovered she had internal bleeding and succumbed to her injuries later that day. Her mother Jemma, who was also involved in the accident, underwent surgery for internal injuries. Williams was laid to rest at the D’Abadie Public Cemetery.