Britons killed in Jamaica crash

Three members of a British family have been killed in a road crash in Jamaica, police have said.

The family, mainly from Windermere, Cumbria, was travelling in a minibus which was in collision with a pick-up truck between Kingston and Montego Bay in the early hours of Sunday.

Kathleen Rawlinson, 45, of Windermere, her ex-partner Gary Bamford, 49, of Ludlow, and Mr Bamford's daughter, Caisie Muller, 17, of Brighton, all died.

Miss Rawlinson's 25-year-old daughter, named locally as Josie, from Windermere, was injured in the collision and is in a serious but stable condition in Jamaica. Her partner, a 22-year-old man from Windermere, suffered minor injuries.

Mr Bamford's 15-year-old son from Brighton, named locally as Owen, also received minor injuries.

A fourth person, Talei Jones, a close family friend from Canada, was also killed in the crash at around 12.10am on Sunday, Cumbria Constabulary said.

In a statement issued through the force, a family member said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our family. They will be greatly missed. Please respect our wishes at this time to be left alone to come to terms with our grief."

A police spokeswoman added: "Specially trained family liaison officers from Cumbria police are offering support to friends and family members."

The Jamaica Observer said the crash happened in Trelawny, in the north-west of the island.

It quoted police as saying Mr Bamford was driving the minibus while a local man, Bryan Clarke, 36, was driving the pick-up, and was also injured.

The vehicles crashed head-on and were both severely damaged, police told the newspaper.

Ms Rawlinson reportedly died at the scene, while the three other fatalities were pronounced dead on arrival at Falmouth Hospital.

Local resident Houston Tatham told the newspaper that he was among a number of people who rushed to the scene minutes after the crash.

He said: "Out there was terrible. I saw a dead woman lying on the ground; I heard screams for help and saw blood all over the place."

PA