The Meadowbrook High School community was plunged into mourning yesterday after a male teacher at the institution collapsed and died.

The Gleaner understands that the teacher, 43-year-old Orville Heaven, collapsed while he was teaching his class.

While Principal Michael Peart confirmed the death of the teacher, he was too traumatised to give details about the incident.

"There was an unfortunate happening at the school, but I am not in the frame of mind to speak about it," Peart said.

As news spread of the death, past students of the institution took to the school's Facebook fan page to express their sorrow.

"I swear MHS (Meadowbrook High School) need some serious prayers. R.I.P. Mr Heaven, you were a nice teacher," one person wrote.

"RIP Mr Heaven, although you weren't one of my teachers, but you were cool, calm and a very people person," another Facebook fan wrote.

Some responded in shock.

"OMG, is it true Mr Heaven is dead?" one person asked.

"Oh my word," was the comment from another individual.

Heaven, the last of 14 children, was the brother of W. Billy Heaven, chief executive officer of the CHASE Fund, and Hyacinth Heaven-Harvey, secretary in the communications department at the Ministry of Education.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com