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Station Sergeant of Police Hezron Ballantyne, who daughter, Simonique Ballantyne is missing, and other persons at the CD launch on Tuesday. (Photo: Lance Neverson/Facebook)
Station Sergeant of Police Hezron Ballantyne, who daughter, Simonique Ballantyne is missing, and other persons at the CD launch on Tuesday. (Photo: Lance Neverson/Facebook)
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Cabinet has declared today, Thursday Jan. 22, a National Day of Mourning, in respect of the students the Rock Gutter incident on Jan. 12.

Five students died and two are missing and presumed dead while several others persons were injured when a minivan carrying 21 persons plunged into the sea.

Dead are brothers Jamalie and Jamall Edwards and their schoolmate, Anique Alexander, of the North Union Secondary School (NUSS), Racquel Ashton of the Georgetown Secondary School (GSS), and Glenroy Michael of the St. Vincent Grammar School.

Chanstacia Stay of the NUSS and Simonique Ballantyne of the Georgetown Secondary School, are missing at sea and presumed dead.

Communications Consultant in the office of the Prime Minister, Elson Crick, said on Wednesday that in light of the National Day of Mourning, broadcast media houses are being encouraged to play “appropriate music” during this period.

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“Church leaders are asked to facilitate access to their churches for those persons who want to pray for the families who lost their loved ones as a result of the accident.

“Flags will continue to fly at half mast in the state,” Crick said.

“Families, church groups, and schools are also being encouraged to pray for these families, as well as the people of Fancy, in this time of their grief and mourning,” he said.

The students will be buried in their home village of Fancy on Sunday after a joint funeral service.

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