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Hon Rymer pleads for cautious road use following two fatal accidents

-says shock of deaths has left him with ‘heavy heart’
Deputy Premier and Minister for Transportation and Work, Hon Kye M. Rymer who is currently the Acting Premier of the Virgin Islands has called for more cautious use of the roads in the VI following two recent road deaths. Photo: GIS/Facebook
On the evening of January 19, 2023, businessman Seddy Callwood (left), the owner of Seddy's One Love Bar and Grill lost his life in an accident on Jost van Dyke. Just a day before, a fatal accident involving a motorcycle and a car on Tortola had claimed the life of 19-year-old Vincent Huggins. Photo: Team of Reporters
On the evening of January 19, 2023, businessman Seddy Callwood (left), the owner of Seddy's One Love Bar and Grill lost his life in an accident on Jost van Dyke. Just a day before, a fatal accident involving a motorcycle and a car on Tortola had claimed the life of 19-year-old Vincent Huggins. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Minister for Transportation and Work, Hon Kye M. Rymer who is currently the Acting Premier of the Virgin Islands has called for more cautious use of the roads in the VI following two recent road deaths.

“I greet you today with a heavy heart upon hearing the news of lives lost within our Virgin Islands community,” he said in a statement released on Friday, January 20, 2020.

“We have lost within the last 24 hours, two males in road fatalities. One in Tortola and the other in Jost Van Dyke. Their untimely demise has once again sent shock waves throughout our homes and collectively the Virgin Islands,” he related.

On the evening of January 19, 2023, businessman Seddy Callwood, the owner of Seddy's One Love Bar and Grill lost his life in an accident on Jost van Dyke.

Two persons killed in past days 

"The RVIPF can confirm the death of the male driver in a lone vehicle collision on Jost Van Dyke this morning. Investigations are ongoing," the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) stated in a statement, January 20, 2023 

Just a day before, a fatal accident involving a motorcycle and a car on Tortola had claimed the life of 19-year-old Vincent Huggins.

Hon Rymer expressed sincere condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues who have experienced loss by these tragic events. 

“The Government of the Virgin Islands extends our prayers and ask that our Lord God, comfort the families and friends during this time of immeasurable loss. I wish to take this opportunity to further encourage the residents and visitors of our shores, to remain cautious when using the Territory’s roadways,” he added.

 

25 Responses to “Hon Rymer pleads for cautious road use following two fatal accidents”

  • NezRez (21/01/2023, 18:02) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is so heartbreaking! We all feel this loss of life for these young men. Tears.
    • alicia (22/01/2023, 12:41) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
      Very sad indeed. These fools think they are so cool in their black tshirts and big fake gold chains when the rest of us look at them as silly boys with nothing better to do. If they can afford the gold chains why are they riding a scooter ? Grow up.
  • Potholes need to go! (21/01/2023, 18:06) Like (20) Dislike (9) Reply
    Imma do like y’all did with the vaxxx fix the roads and you get a free plate of food, fix the roads and you get a free month of Flow’s internet, fix the roads and you get a free box of mask, fix the roads and we take 5$ off of your next electricity bill.

    P.S R.I.P to everyone who died thus far
  • Great Britain (21/01/2023, 18:58) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hon Member pull the commissioner of police aside and ask him what are the plans to improve highway safety and the rise in crime

    • Great Britain stupido (22/01/2023, 07:23) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      Is it the commissioner who is driving like mad and riding like mad on the road. People need to take responsibility for their own safety and drive carefully on the road. Just like the stupid fool who overtakes me coming into town below Delta on the Left but want to make a right turn to go back East, and when he heard my brakes he continued down to the traffic lights and makes a U turn.
  • jack (21/01/2023, 19:44) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    These guys need to be more careful ride with helmets
  • 2023 (21/01/2023, 19:57) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    people be watchful elections around the bend so those looking votes will be so sympathetic to the people. Roads will be repaired. The bush will be trimmed. Often visits to your home and the beat goes on
  • Love yiour life (21/01/2023, 20:48) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is sad that out motor cyclists don't love their own lives enough to be careful amd ride with due deligence. There's a fatal or a rider loses a limb ot critical, the other riders don't take heed...they actually act worse. We can almost count all the law abiding riders pn one hand
    No helmets
    If they do wear a helmet, its noy buckled
    Dragga slippers on theyr feet
    Usong cell phones while riding
    Zooming between moving vehicles
    Cutting off motorists at junctions while waiting to make a turn
    Using the middle line as a bike lane
    Poppa wheelie on active roads even on the same Fort Hill
    Absolutely no respect for the law or other road users
    The police have left it up to them to erradicate themselves
    Putting innocent motorists in troube because you dont see these lunatic riders coming
    Causing grief to their loved ones
    Excess muffler noise

    Cyclists please, if any of you reading this, please ride responsibly. The wind in your face and the thrill of speed is not worth it. Scooters can be a very convenient means of transportatiion, just do it right. I am not condemning nobody, just befging youall to stop giving the undertaker work. Take it easy
  • Heavy heart (21/01/2023, 21:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow. These roads are contributing to many accidents. What will it take to try to make roads more conducive for road users? Oh the answer is rocket science.

    Seems like you are waiting until something happens to try to fix things you are far behind the 8th ball. All them concrete trucks have sleepy hill in a mess and you waiting until someone die or go over the hill side to address this issue also. Go ahead we are afraid to mash certain people corn and the public suffers. Don't blame no one but your self. Get up out of your office and face the music with the people. If your work team not producing get rid of them and face the fact that you are failing or have failed the public miserably. Perhaps you have the wrong portfolio simple things that cost little to no money can't get fixed it's a shame.
    All concrete trucks should clean the roads when they mess up and are causing the road to become dangerous. Every law on the books for everyone else except enforcement for this.
    It upset me when I read these type of statements you all can do better, 4 at large representative and all seems to have a dose of hush medicine what a burning shame and an embarrassment for the territory. Rocket science the only conclusion I can come to is may be you are owing John public so your resources personal has been depleted. You don't pay you can't get. You all better wake up the sleeping hearts because they are heavy when anything happens. Lighten up you'll hearts by working for the people you all sleeping to long.
  • Truth (21/01/2023, 22:10) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Such a disappointment. Roads need fixing across the. Islands
  • Words not Enough Honorable! (21/01/2023, 22:49) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Once again words with no action! We need stricter enforcement to the traffic rules and more regulations. Why are these motorist allowed to ride their 6 year old child on their bike and without a helmet? Why are they bypassing traffic on wheels and running red lights? Why is a 14 year old doing on a bike? Enough is Enough!
  • Just for show (21/01/2023, 22:58) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Waste of time
  • Disappoint! (21/01/2023, 23:00) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Calling for more cautious use of the roads! Do you truly think they are going to listen to you? This is all you are planning to do about this crisis? You all need to stop playing politics and start acting like leaders! It’s sickening now!!!
  • resident (22/01/2023, 03:16) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    The recent road accidents is no one's fault but the victims. Stop blaming Kye and any other govt. Yes the roads are bad and need fixing like ysterday but that problem didn't just come. All we need to do is drive cautiously. There are too many persons using the roads like a race track. Those truck drivers are another issue. They drive so fast want to run you off the road. People this is a little 2 by 4 Island you can get anywhere in a few minutes. Speed is not called for. Let's just look out for each other on the road. And pray that one of these good days we can wake up and see all the roads looking like Fish Bay.
    • To residents (22/01/2023, 11:09) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
      I would love your comment 1000 times. The riders don't care for they own life. Give them better roads and they will get foolisher.

      Police do need to enforce the law. When the community dont respect the law then we are down the drain
  • Easy (22/01/2023, 07:51) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Enforce the traffic laws.
  • Yes (22/01/2023, 08:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are you f.....n crazy .its like you never been on that road before.
    West end to road town is like a racing track in the morning
  • Hmm (22/01/2023, 09:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    if these bikers ride with caution lots of accident wont happen. them speeding, them just trying to over take vehicles that have their turning indicator on. these bikers should write a driving test too to know all the road rules and regulations.
  • cap (22/01/2023, 09:16) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Without knowing the full circumstances of both tragic accidents, it’s so easy for Mr Rymer to just say “drive with caution”. The public has been BEGGING for the roads to be fixed, and too often cars/bikes are in the middle or the wrong side of the road to avoid potholes. I agree that we all need to drive more carefully as some people seem to think that the island is a rally racing track. But for love of god, please fix the roads.
  • disappointed (22/01/2023, 09:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    FIX THE ROADS.
  • q (22/01/2023, 10:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    FIX THE DAMN ROADS
  • WO (22/01/2023, 10:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    And Fix the Dump
  • Wear your helmet (22/01/2023, 13:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    WEAR YOUR HELMET AND IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE
  • BS (22/01/2023, 15:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do not give way to the bike thugs . Don't put yourself in danger . One by one we can fix the problem since the police and suits have no interest in doing anything.
  • Quietly Watching (23/01/2023, 13:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have a serious concern with the way persons drive on the roads. The roads are in poor condition, but persons are leaving their homes late in the morning. The roads are rough, filled with potholes, bush sticking out blocking your view to see anything oncoming until they are right upon you. They are also narrow so if it is a big truck, and you hear it and slow down, the person behind you is basically right up on your trunk as they are just concentrating on getting where they need to go. Driving responsibly has gone out the window. So what do we have on the roads in the morning, a whole lot of young people trying to get to work on time and driving with their school-aged children like they have lost their minds. I watch them and smile. I have a school-aged child that I take to school in the morning and I try very hard to leave home on time to get him there safely. At other times, drivers these days like to force you to drive at their pace. If I feel like cruising, and not burning excessive gas driving up hill, they are driving right up under you. My take is these days patience, manners and sense has gone out the window and it shows even in our driving. God really looks out for us on these roads.


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