McKenzie calls death of Manchester schoolgirl a 'tragedy all round'

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has expressed grief following the death of nine-year-old Amara Moore, who was killed in a motor vehicle accident involving a garbage truck in her Mandeville community on Tuesday morning.

The grade four student was on her way to school when the fatal incident occurred along Bonitto Crescent.

The truck belongs to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), an agency of McKenzie's ministry.

“It is very difficult for me to adequately express my feelings about this. It is, simply put, a tragedy all round. From all indications, garbage collection was in progress when the accident occurred," the minister said in a statement.

"While the incident is still being investigated, and the vehicle has been impounded for the necessary inspection as part of the investigative process, I feel the shock, the disbelief and the grief that is radiating around Bonitto Crescent, and at Villa Road Primary School, at the unexpected and tragic loss of one of the community’s youngest members."

He added: I feel the grief of Amara’s relatives and friends as they try somehow, to accept that she will not be walking back home today or ever again. I have seen some of the images of family members, community members, members of the NSWMA team and persons who have just passed by the accident scene and the trauma is evident. I want to join the many persons who have expressed great regret at this occurrence and invoke every comfort and sense of strength upon Amara’s family especially, as they endure this period of painful loss.”

The NSWMA said the incident took place about 7 a.m. It said details were "sketchy".

Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

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