School teacher dies in traffic accident

Kent Pemberton was an avid motorcyclist.

Staff and pupils of the Pierre Charles Secondary School (PCSS) today joined the family and friends of popular school teacher Kent Pemberton in mourning his death.

At about 7 a.m. on Wednesday May 18, 2011 Pemberton was riding his motor cycle when he was hit by a truck close to the Eugenia Charles Boulevard in Roseau. He later succumbed to his injuries at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Pemberton’s death is the latest in a series of road fatalities involving motor cyclists in Dominica. His death has also rekindled the debate over the vulnerability of motorcyclists on Dominica’s roads.

At the center of the discussion is the absence of laws mandating the use of helmets. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of motorcycles on Dominica’s crowded roads as they compete with even more cars and trucks.

Although Dominica has an estimated 70 000 inhabitants there are well over 25 000 motor vehicles with most concentrated in or around Roseau.

Reports on today’s accident indicate that Pemberton was in fact wearing a helmet but did not stand a chance after been hit from behind by the truck.

Meanwhile teachers and students at the PCSS broke down and wept openly as they mourned the sudden passing. At around 10 p.m the students were given permission to leave for the day as counselors from the ministry o education were called in to help them deal with the death of their beloved teacher.