St. Peters/Bel Air: --- Relatives of a 17 year old boy identified as Patrison Isarac is now mourning his death along with management of the St. Maarten Academy PSVE after a pickup truck in which he was seeking a lift home toppled over.SMN News managed to confirm that at least six students of the Academy (PSVE) were on the vehicle when the driver lost control on St. Peters main road due to high speed. Reliable information at this time states that the 17 year old succumbed to his injuries at the St. Maarten Medical Center.
SMN News learnt that the driver a former student of the St. Maarten Academy identified as 18 year old Jonathan Miggens was driving his father's pick-up at high speed when the accident occurred. SMN News confirmed that Miggens graduated from the St. Maarten Academy some two years ago and he just recently received his driver's license. Eyewitnesses to the accident said Miggens was racing with a scooter while his former classmates were at the back of the vehicle. The eyewitnesses said somehow the driver hit the sidewalk and lost control of the vehicle causing the vehicle to topple over.
They said some of the students on the pickup managed to jump off the vehicle as it was toppling over but the victim they said got pinned beneath the pickup. At the moment authorities are investigating the freak but deadly accident.
President of St. Maarten Academy School Board Josianne Fleming-Artsen confirmed the dead student as Patrison Isarac. Fleming said there were six students at the back of the pick-up truck at the time of the accident. Fleming-Artsen said all five of the other students were released from the St. Maarten Medical Center with minor injuries. "One of the students left on a wheel chair. However, even though they were released from the hospital we need to monitor them closely. Shock and trauma such as this one can bring about other effects." Fleming-Artsen said.
SMN News also learnt that this particular student almost lost his life three months ago at Mullet Bay Beach when he went swimming with his friends.
Fleming-Artsen said the school has decided to cancel all examinations for students attending the St. Maarten Academy PSVE for Thursday. Students and teachers attending the institution will be given counseling throughout the day on Thursday. Fleming-Artsen said a decision will be taken on Thursday whether or not they would continue the end of term examinations on Friday or if they would wait until next week. "Stopping the examinations is not reason for anyone to stay home. We need all our students and teachers at school on Thursday so they can receive the necessary care for the lost of their student and classmate.
Prosecutor Rienk Mud in an invited comment said the body of the victim has been confiscated for examination and will be released after to the family. Mud also confirmed that the driver of the pickup was taken to the police station where he was questioned about the accident. The public prosecutor said the driver was also injured during this freak accident. "We will question this young man again, including witnesses that were in the back of the pickup and those persons who apparently saw what happened." After that the prosecutor's office would decide if the driver is responsible for the death of Isarac or if it was just a freak accident. Mud concluded.
In a press release the board of the St. Maarten Academy states that on Thursday the
Foundation for Academic and Vocational Education, FAVE known as the St. Maarten Academy, the Board, management, teachers, staff and students mourn the loss of one of its students Patrison Isarac (PSVE section) who died tragically in a fatal traffic accident on Wednesday June 16, 2010. Because of this tragedy, the school has postponed the school exams for Thursday June 17, 2010. Instead, a group of professional counselors will be assisting the teachers and students during this time of grief. All students are, therefore, asked to come to school on Thursday because a schedule of activities has been planned to help the students deal with this tragic event. Through this medium, the board, the management, staff and students of the St. Maarten Academy would like to extend their deepest sympathy to the family of the late Patrison Isarac. May God strengthen you during this time of sorrow and may his soul be peaceful.
