Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
WILSON
THE LOCAL football community is again in mourning following the death of former national Under-17 football captain Omroy Wilson in a car accident on the Stewart Town main road in Trelawny on Saturday evening.
According to reports, the 18-year-old lower sixth form student of Cornwall College who also represented Village United of Trelawny in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League was on his way back from Westwood High School with a group of friends, when the car, which was being driven by Wilson, reached the Stewart Town main road. It hit an embankment and overturned.
According to reports he was thrown from the vehicle, sustained head injuries and died before reaching the hospital.
He is the fourth national footballer who have represented the country in recent times to die in a motor vehicle accident. Among those who have perished in a similar way are 1998 World Cup veterans Steve 'Shorty' Malcolm and Peter Cargill as well as Winston Anglin.
"This is so terrible. I truly cannot find words," a shocked Lennox Wallace, president of the St. James Football Association, before offering condolences to the family.
George Evans, the man who preceded Wallace as president and who was instrumental in his development as a player in the parish's Under-12 and Under-14 teams, was devastated.
"I really am numb to hear this very tragic news. Jamaica will definitely be sadder today with his loss. I can only imagine how those who know him are saddened today, not to mention his mother Pat, Terence (stepfather) and Michael Andries (family friend)."
For Dr. Dean Weatherly, who coached Wilson at both club and school and who had the task of identifying the body, said his former player's death was a huge loss.
"It is a great loss. It is a major setback and it has sent shockwaves throughout the school community, the parish and the country," said Dr. Weatherly who has guided the player since he was 14 years old. "He was a natural leader and was respected by not only his peers but by most people who came in contact with him, largely because of his character."
President of the Trelawny Football Association Linnel McLean was similarly shocked and saddened.
?I am shocked and saddened by the news. He was a fairly talented player and an emerging talent,? a dumbstruck McLean said. "Why do we keep losing football players to motor vehicle accidents,?" he wondered aloud before extending condolences to the family.
