BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO separate traffic accident early yesterday morning resulted in the death of one man and injuries to two other individuals.
According to a police report, at about 1:40 a.m. an accident occurred on Wellington Road in the vicinity of Flow Grounds involving Pastor Mark Hodge of Sandy Point, his motor van (P9838) and two other vehicles – motor jeep PA5711, which is owned by the Scenic Railway and was driven by Christopher True, and motor jeep PB496 owned by Neysa Baker-Tyson of Old Road.
Circumstances surrounding the accident were that PB496 and P9838 were parked on the western side slightly on the road facing south.
Pastor Hodge was reportedly standing next to his vehicle and PA5711 was travelling north along Wellington Road when PA5711 reached the vicinity of Flow’s grounds and struck him and collided with the front bumper of his vehicle, which then caused the rear bumper to collide with the front bumper of PB496.
Hodge was transported to the JNF General Hospital by a unit from the Emergency Medical Services, where he succumb to his injuries.
According to the police report, officers visited the scene, conducted investigations and took Christopher True into custody.
Speaking with WINN FM, Deputy Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representation of Constituency Five, of which Sandy Point is a part of that, the Hon. Shawn Richards said he was a lifelong friend and schoolmate of the deceased.
He also said that news of Hodge’s death had sent a ripple of shock and grief throughout the Sandy Point Community.
“I take the opportunity to extend my deepest condolences to his wife in particular, Marlene, and their children of both. I also extend condolences to the rest of his extended family in the church that he pastured and to all those who are left to mourn his death.
“Mark is not someone who I can refer to as just a casual acquaintance. Of course, he is from the Sandy Point community but, more so, Mark and I would have been classmates from primary school right up until we graduated from the Sandy Point High School.
“As a matter of fact, there was a period in time during our high school days where we were quite inseparable. After school you would see Mark, myself and a next friend, Carl Adams, liming after school, be it at the school compound, on Mount Idle, we would visit each other’s home. He was someone who had a very jovial spirit.”
Richards intimated that what is comforting in the Pastor’s demise is knowing that he died shortly after he would have been engaged in an activity that “I am sure brought him many, many days of peace and comfort, and that is serving the Lord”.
He further said that Hodge, who was a Pastor at the Apostolic Faith Church for some time, had some 11 months ago opened the doors to his own place of worship.
“On December 11 last year he had the opening service of his own church. Persons there would have seen his leadership skills; they would have been quite happy in terms of the fellowship that he provided and led them towards their own journey towards Christianity.
“On behalf of the Sandy Point community and on behalf of my own self and family, again I extend my deepest condolences to all who are4 left to mourn the passing of Pastor Mark Hodge. And perhaps I should also extend it on behalf of all of us who graduated from the Sandy Point High School in the year 1989. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Meanwhile, another traffic accident had occurred on the said morning on the same road.
A police communiqué informed that at about 2:50 a.m. in the vicinity of the St. Kitts Co-operative Credit Union, motorcar PB981, owned by Carol Curtis of Ottley’s Village but was driven by Cyndee Anslyn also of that village, and motor jeep P925, owned and driven by Burnette Levine of Canada Estate were involved in an accident.
It stated that investigations revealed that while P925 was travelling North along Wellington Road, PB981 came out of a junction from Bladens and turned south onto Wellington Road when both vehicles collided.
Both drivers were transported to the JNF Hospital and were being treated for their injuries.
