In a country as small as Barbados, where it’s hard to achieve more than maybe three degrees of separation from anyone else on the island, when six people die in a single accident, everyone will know someone who knew someone who died. At this festive season, the whole thing seems especially surreal and sad. I think that yesterday many Bajans were made, as the Book of Common Prayer says, “deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of human life”. After some consultation between the National Cultural Foundation and the Royal Barbados Police Force, the party at the East Coast Road went on (and I understand the reasons for that), and I was reminded (perversely?) of another line from the Anglican burial rites: “we go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song”.
I’m rambling. My prayers and deepest sympathy are with those bereaved by this sad occurrence; I wish for them comfort in their time of grief and sorrow. May those who have died rest in peace.