When many Dominicans first learned of the tragedy that occurred near Choiseul, St. Lucia, in which 17 passengers of a bus died after it went over a cliff into the sea, they may have recalled a similar disaster which occurred in Dominica 36 years ago.
On 21 May 1975, an overloaded passenger truck departed from Morne Prosper with some 35 pilgrims aboard, bound for a Pentecostal “Christ is the Answer” crusade at Windsor Park in Roseau. Minutes later it got out of control on the hill before a sharp bend on the Morne Prosper road and shot over a precipice.
Twenty eight men, women and children were hurled to their deaths.
Throughout the night and the next day, police, firemen, Defence Force personnel and volunteers searched for victims among trees and branches on the cliff face. Bodies were loaded onto trucks and taken to the Red Cross Headquarters on Federation Drive, Goodwill, where they were laid out for identification and preparation for burial.
It must be remembered that in those days there were no funeral homes and burials had to take place within 24 hours of death, if not earlier. Prisoners worked feverishly all day to make enough coffins out of whatever wood was available.
The following afternoon on 22 May, two huge funerals were held in Roseau, one at the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the other at the Pentecostal Church.
Individual graves could not be dug in time so excavating machines dug out two long trenches, one in the public cemetery and the other in the Catholic cemetery, to lay the coffins and then covered them all together.
One of the survivors is often seen in Roseau today asking for assistance; he is tall, has one leg, wears locks and walks with crutches.
The citizens of St. Lucia are going through the shock and sadness that Dominicans experienced over three decades ago.
As many as nine members of the Deschamps family died on that night, including the truck driver, Lennox. The list of victims as published in the press at the time was as follows:
Magdalene Deschamps
Ivinia Deschamps
Paulina Deschamps
Everad Deschamps
Claudia Deschamps
Cynthia Deschamps
Lennox Deschamps
Isaline Deschamps
Orius Deschamps
Marvline Isles
Casimir Isles
Desmond Isles
Valda Isles
Lindy Isles
Gwendolyn Isles
Lambert Opha
Matilda Opha
Agatha Timothy
Mona Timothy
Reginald Timothy
Norwills Joseph
Utina Charles
Vernon Jno. Baptiste
Joania Maxime
Sonia Jean-Jacques
Steve Bruno
McLean John
Mary Joseph
we need to build memorials in such areas so time to time family memebers can return there to at least reflec on their lost ones. the bagatelle land slide , and so many other histrical events.
I was in First Form at DGS when this happened and I have not been able to bring myself to travel to Morne Prosper, as part of my work. I discussed it recently with a counselor. She said I was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Imagine after all these years, still affected by this…still. I am hoping I can drive there sometime soon.
One of D/ca’s saddest moments I was only 8, and stil fresh in my mind is the funeral wher lots of tears were shed…my heart goes out 2 the 17 families in mornin…be strong..god bless
I was 8….02/01/67….uk . Whiteboy with my father working on the island.
As soon as i heard of the accident, it brought me back to Morn Prosper. I was a young christian of 1 week. Got baptise the sunday by Pastor Bell. Can’t wait 4 evening 2 go 2 the crusade. While we were at the service, The crowed began getting smaller and smaller, then we found out of the accident, off 2 the hospiotal we went. It was the worse day of my life. I attended the furnel at the ppc. May God strength the people of St. Lucia.
Wow, I didn’t realize there were published photos of this incident. I’ve always known of this accident since my Grandfater (Everad Deschamps)also died in this tragedy. Apparently he was a master Accordian player. RIP to those lost in St.Lucia and much sympathy to their loved ones.
Greeting to my Dominica friends! I will always remember this incident as though it happened yesterday. When news came to us, at the Crusade, that a transport had gone over a cliff on the Morne Prosper road, I and a Pastor friend, Cuthbert Fagan, rushed to find the scene of the accident. There was nothing to be found on the road, but, eventually we found evidence of where the transport had left the road. He and I were loaned a rope and a little flash light and we commenced lowering ourselves over the edge to see if we could find survivors. Dirt and stones kept falling on our heads – the rope was to short! Debris from the truck and broken trees were everywhere and bodies! We found two survivors severely injured and in shock. Below the wreckage on a switchback people were searching and making noise. We called out to them, they sent Defense Force workers and eventually in pitch darkness we along with the two survivors got down to the road. The accident and logistics for the funerals, were discussed at the Prime Ministers office at 6 AM the next morning. A book could be written. My sincere condolences to all who survived, and the families who lost their loved ones. My dear friend, Mr. Pat Martin, worked tirelessly to provide for the orphans. What a story, and thanks for this opportunity to comment!
In 1980 I started my secondary education at the DGS and I was in the same ckaess with a young man who had lost his parents and when we learnt that he was an orphan we made a pleade to protect him at school. No one was allowed to mess with him. Eustace Marshall was our leader in our class and he was very protective of that guy who now teaches at the DGS. Peace to you my boy and I know this is tough even if you were just a little boy at the time.
ANOTHER REASON TO ALWAYS SHOW LOVE TO ALL.
I remember that night vividly. We were at prayer meeting when we got the news of the accident. For some reason I remember saying that 29 people had died, and that turned out to be the final number. My sister worked in the X-ray department at that time so I went with her to the hospital. When one of the victims was brought to the X-ray department I grabbed the empty gurney and took it back to the Casualty department and spent the rest of the night there.
The next day I helped them carry the coffins into the Cathedral. There were two funeral services in the Cathedral because one family decided to bury their loved one separately. They had their own special coffin and pallbearers. After we finished the burial in the Catholic cemetary I walked down Queen Mary Street and met the procession coming from the Pentecostal church. I boarded the truck and helped carry the coffins into the mass grave in the public cemetary.
I WAS EIGHT AT THE TIME. REMEMBERED SEEING THE BODIES LIKE SARDINES…..SAD SAD SAD DAY….BUT NOW I AM FINDING OUT HOW THEY WERE BURIED…….
Thanks DNO for bringing us back in history, i remembered that tragic day, was 12 yrs at the time. It was indeed a very sad day in Dominica at that time, I also remember going to the Red Cross at that time to view the bodies. I tragic accident in St Lucia really brought back memories of that sad day. I wish to extend my condolences to the families of the St Lucians who died in that accident, may the good Lord give them the strength to endure during this tragic time of loss.
Am St.Lucian our country is in a sombre mood. thanks for all the caring support. after all we are one Caribbean
You see what I mean about Dominica? I am from Dominica, live in Dominica and yet never knew anything about such a tragedy. And it isn’t a lack of reading on my part because I read loads. Just like the Patrick John affair, many kids today still don’t know the facts about the entire case. That the kkk was involved and many other factors. I mean, we need to teach our history, make the kids get a sense of pride and understand what being a Dominican is all about. So, I say thanks to dno for posting this article
GET A COPY OF THE DOMINICAN STORY BY LENNOX HONEY CHURCH AND I ENCOURAGE ALL YOUTHS TO BUY BOOKS WRITTEN BY LOCALS AS WE SEEM ONLY INTERESTED IN BUYING BOOKS WRITTEN BY FOREIGN WRITTERS. PEACE.
I guess all islands of the caribbean have similar tragedies, here in Barbados it was in an area called Lancaster where a truck went over a gully in the 60’s, similar high lost of life. We pray for all, one people, one origin.
As soon as I here the story I remember that day I was 13 years old that story should never die in Dominica they should have a memorial service for those that lost there life it had to take stlucia pain to let the youth of Dominica know what happen in 1975 America will never forget 911let that become a lesson educate the youth.
I was here in Toronto. I heard the news from Employer, a very kind Jewish man. He told me that there was a train accident in my country and many people has died.
I had to explain to him that we did have trains in Dominica. He understood that it was a passenger truck. Sad indeed, but Life must go on.
In the sweet bye and bye. let us hope that relatives and close friends will meet on that beaufiful sure.
My heart goes out to the Lucians whose family members were perished on that submerged vehicle…
May God give them comfort in all their grieves…
I know how they feel ’cause 2 of my bros were victims of the /75 MP accident….1 died(17 yrs old)….the other survived(stronger than ever)…thnx God for that….
Oh yes…that pain & grieve lasted for a long time…
I chuckled just reading through these names…God rest our souls…Life is but a shadow of our dreams…only God when, how & where.
i was 14 then and remember that clearly being a youg christian then and knowing that is a crusade they had gone to
when we read the news on DNO the first thing my husband said was that it reminded him of that fateful day in Dominica
it touch me very hard because my first pastor here for over 22 years is from st lucia
i pray that God give those affected by this tragedy strength and courage at this time and that they find comfort also.
from a oung age i was told of this accident and it sadens my heart to this day and dno thanks for publishing this article i never knew there were ictures from this dreadful day…gordon leatham…..george winston,,,and many other survivors live with this memory and still strive so thats wh we gotta put jah first cause he is always there,,,,,,,,,to the people of st lucia hold strong
I was just 1 yr old, I only heard about the Morne Prosper accident from my mother. May all their souls RIP. To the Lucians, be courageous remember God in this crucial time becuase only He can help you go through this
VERY SAD NEVER SAW THE PIC BEFORE BUT MY PARENTS TOLD ME ABOUT IT I WASNT BORN YET THEY HAD THE BODIES AT THE RED CROSS N REMEMBER MY MOM WASS TELLING ME THAT U HAD TO PASS BCK IN THE SAME DOOR AFTER GOIN IN and veiwing the whole 28 bodies my mom cldnt eat for days and t
tht discinfectant smell they used to keep the blood scent at bAY STILL remain in her mind,
there was a couple, moda and fada,who left there children to go church and they perished in the accident.
It made me very sad to hear of the tragic accident in St.Lucia and my heart goes out to all the families in coping with such a substantial loss as a result. I feel this even more being the child of two of the victims. For my six siblings and myself losing both parents in an event of this kind is something you never forget or get over with any ease, the pain continues for a lifetime, and changed our lives forever. I am pleased that a memorial was eventually erected, some 25 plus years after the accident, thanks to appeals from surviving family members, both here and abroad to the Rosie Douglas administration. But it’s sad that Morne Pros residents historical suffering and loss is still not considered sufficient to warrant a more timely and decent road, with guard rails to travel to and from the village with some increased safety, it’s a wonder another similar accident has not occurred since 1975, is that what Dominica is waiting for before the road is completed?… I hope not! As a point of fact the family name is DEJEAN (my mothers family) and not DESCHAMPS as indicated above and also as appears to be logged in our archives, I wish something could be done to correct this.
i did not born when this happen and now that happen in st.lucia i ask my mom about it DNO thank you for the update….
WHEN I READ ABOUT THE ST.LUCIA ACCIDENT,THE FIRST THING CAME TO MY MIND WAS THE MORNE PROSPER ACCIDENT.I REMEMBER ONE OF THE SURVIVOR TESTIFYING IN PORTSMOUTH PENTECOSTAL CHURCH,WHERE PASTOR JAMES WAS THE PREACHER.SERVICE WAS HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOLL AT THE TIME ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE AND SURVIVAL.I HAD GOOSE BUMBS EVEN NOW AS I AM WRITING.I WAS 16YRS OLD AT THE TIME.
Thanks for the history
I remember that nite,i was at the crusade.Paulina was also a student of my mother at the Roseau Girls School,and also a friend of my sister.That was a very sad day in Dominica,s history.I remember the funeral prosession with all those coffins dripping blood.May thier souls rest in peace.
As a previous person comment said i wasn’t a thought when this accident took place, but i am the daughter of a survivor, and today i am thankful to God for the lives that were spared, He had a plan and purpose. Those who lost their loved ones, this pain will never go away,May God be your comforter. Lets keep the St Lucians in our prayers.
There was also the 1998 plane crash…we had two devastatingly sad moments…I pray for us and the people of SLU
Thoughts came beck to me when I heard about St. Lucia. My bro. survived with two broken legs. May the good Lord sustain the Lucian families.
i was just 8 yrs old at the time . my mom died in that accident too and i can remember that night and most of the people who died and all of the surviors.still get sad at times
My condolence to you sir. Does time really heal the wound?
So sorry Eugenia, she’d be proud of you and your sis.
I heard about this accident in morne pros from a good friend of the family, he was also on board, his name was Gordon but i forgot his last name…sigh this is very sad…. i will keep the lucians in my prayers
gordon john baptiste…he works at dexia
He’s my bro……Vernon(my other bro) perished
His name is Gordon Leatham
I’ve always heard of this incident
This is the first time I’m ever coming across the photos of that day. I feel so saddened. My grandma (Matilda Opha) and uncle (Vernon Jno Baptiste) also died in this accident. I know that they will always be rrememberd. Thanks God for guiding my uncle Gorden Jno Baptiste. My love and deepest sympathy goes out to the people of St. Lucia.
i am from de valley was only six yrs when this accident happened and still remember it. it feels like yesterday i know 1 of the guys who was involve he now have 1legs and still is strong though .so sad
I remember that night very well we were sitting outside the house and my aunt screamed she said look at a dark shadow on the wall that a bad news really the shadow was there and it disappear in less than 5 minuites the phone ring and alittle voice told us Mona and Agatha TIMOTHY die so we started screaming. Then Paulina Deschamps she was a student at our school the ROSEAU GIRL SCHOOL that shock me. We use to call Agatha TIMOTHY “MA FELTAN” and Mona was her daughter. The other sister CHIRSTINA is a nurse and she was at work that night that is why she didnt go to the crusade. O God may their souls rest in peace My heart is heavy its painfull it hurts thats a terrible way to die lord guide us and their family. To all ST LUCIANS HOLD TIGHT BE STRONG WE ARE PRAYING FOR U ALL.
i’m in tears i hope that the family in st.lucia can find the strength to carry on….may God also be with the families in D.a for their loss. bless up my pple
As a young girl i remember all able young men were asked to get to the Morne Prosper. the Police and Denfence Force worked vigorously to get all the people out.
After 36 years, the road is the same, the people of morne prosper have suffered under all the goverments.There is no guard rails up to this time. To let the people know this goverment have started some work on this road two years now and they are not making any effort to finish it, i know cause i am from the valley, maybe they wating on another accident to finish it.
you are a rat so they have to leave the trap for you. sot
How can u say that he is telling the truth oh lord pray for Crapaud real uneducated the biggest sot is u dombell
what a jacka$$!!!!! my god!!!!
Reading this story brought chills, what a peice of sadness Lord.
I wasn’t born yet but heard of the accident time and again, nothing as detailed like this.
God protect our drivers on the road and the precious lives entrusted in their care.
I pray for the families, because it is only God that can really see a family through loss of such enormity.
Have mercy on us Lord!
I can remember the accident clearly and up to today i have not been to morne prosper…..got soooo scared of the road…..SMH……THANK for the read doh
There is nothing to be scared off. I travel twice a day, Monday to Saturday. Accidents happen anywhere, anytime.
Thanks DNO..I was five years old at the time of this indicent. Times of death are really sad and difficult times. I felt chilled reading this article and just thinking of the pain these families went through at the time. Let’s pray for them because St Lucian’s accident may bring their grief to the fore again. It is good to remember because it brings into perspective the fact that life is brief. May we use the time we have here wisely
DNO we still have one survivor from this tragic accident, Could probably interview him. Think he works at Astaphan – Fond Cole
There’s more than one survivor. I work with one as well
HE WORKS AT ASTAPHANS??? AND HE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE.. TIRED SAY WHAT U WANT!!
There are more who live in the village…. Not one alone
There are 3 survivors in the village. Nestor Dejean, Gordon Leatham, and the guy with the one leg.
There’s also 2 other survivors who live in Goodwill..
The point is not to point out which survivor is more important as to which one should be honored or to redicule anyone. The fact remains that, there are survivors. The Prime Minister should have a rememberance day mass at that location on the exact date to honor the survivors and in memory of our citizens who have vanished tragically.
History should always be remembered
Yes i remember the accident very well,I now live in the tates , but when that accident happend i was in the V.I.i heard it on D.B.S it was a tragic time. i hope the road has gard rail and widen by now. may they rest in peace.
DNO ! Thanks so much for sharing this information .. This is first time hearing this , very sad !!
I guess you were not born yet then.
i was just eight years old and i still remember the look on my grand parents face when they heard the news .its such a sad time not only for the family but for all of st lucia ,although the familly feels it the most .may you all find the strength and courage to go through such pain .
The fat guy asking for donations is actually not that guy.He’s a tall slim one who always wears white vests n pants. He lost his leg as a result of that accident in fact.I live in that area and I still see the scars so I understand just how St Lucia feels and my heart goes out to them.
O lord paulina Deschamps, Agatha and Mona Timothy i knew them.thats all i can say for now.
very tough to watch esp. if u have family among those in the photo..
Just to add some pertinent facts to this history. Cornel Butler and Reginald Astaphan, both Special Constables at the time were the first ones to be lowered down the precipiece in pitch darkness trying to locate the truck’s whereabouts. And it was Joey Vanterpool then the correspondent for the powerful Radio Antilles based in Montserrat, who broke the news at 7.00 a.m. to a startled Dominica and regional audience. As a young S.M.A. student, I can still remembe his chilling words, “There is weeping and wailing in Dominica today as the island wakes up to a tragic accident which has claimed many lives when a Bedford truck laden with villagers from the village of Morne Prosper heading to a Pentecostal crusade shot over an embankment and plunged down a precipiece.” I can never forget those words!
oh my God..my parents never told me that story. I never knw we had something like that in DA..thanks for the history DNO. And to me i does see that man…is he the man always asking for donations for his leg operation?
No. Not this one. This has has been asking for donations for years now. He is a fake, don’t give him your money.
this made me really sad.
why lord?
real touched by this.. thanks DNO
I was not born as yet when this happen …..so thanks dno fot this info
my heart and prays goes out to all the family involve
I wasn’t even a thought yet but this article gave me chills… It must have been hard but we did mourn and we did recover. St Lucian will do the same. God doesnt give more than we can bear.
DNO, thanks for recapping the story. I will save it in my archive. I was too young at the time to remember; in fact, I had no knowledge of this when I was a boy. I learned of the event much later in life.
The DDF, thank God we had a defense force then who worked hard through the nigh.
To the ST. Lucians families, hope you get to bury your dead so you can have closure. May the peace that passeth understanding be yours, during such a tragedy.Comfort one another.
THE DOMINICA DEFEBCE FORCE WORKED EXTREMEY HARD THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND SOME PERSONS WERE RESCUED BY THEM IT WAS A SAD DAY…I THINK THAT A MONUMENT REFLECTING ON THAT SAD DAY SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED>….SO I HOPE PM SKERRIT AND HIS CABINET AND THE DLP DEAL WITH THIS MATTER.
A MASS GRAVE WAS ALSO DUGGGED AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETRY IN ROSEAU IT SHOULD BE RESTORED AND CLEANED AND PAINTED!
WE ALSO HAD THE BAGATELLE DISASTER AND ALSO HURICANE DAVID WHERE MANY WERE KILLED…PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST LUCIA AND THEIR FAMILIES…LORD PRTECT AND GUDE US AND LETS USE SUCH TO GET US TO BE EVEN CLOSER TO EACH OTHER.
STOP THE FIGHTING
A monument has already been erected on the site of the accident on the Morne Prosper road with all the names on it as a memorial and a grave stone has been put up on the site of the grave in the RC cemetery. So your thoughtful concerns have been met.
Can we just at least try to see, read, or say something without getting party politics in it?
It is high time that we grow up to maturity in this country. Please people let us grow up and leave childish ways behind.
I was talking to a friend of mine about this very incident yesterday when I heard of the St. Lucia accident. I was only 7 at the time but rememebered it so well. Dominica was in great morning the day when this happened. I am sure that SLU is going through this time of mourning right now. SLU, the caribbean mourns with u as you do. May God give you all strength in this time
LORD HAVE MERCY
DNO THANK YOU I’VE NEVER KNOWN THIS IS HOW
IT WAS. SEEING THIS GAVE ME AN INSTANT HEAD-
ACHE.
Makes me feel old. I was a very little boy back then and remember my family crying the next day because my dad was part of the search and rescue team (DDF)and my Grandma saying a couple rosary (Hail Mary) for his safety and DBS playing sad sad songs. Gob bless Dominica.
I remembered that sad period of time in we dominican lives; indeed it was sad I stood and watch as the ambulances went back and forth.when I heard of stlu incident my mind flashed back on that day in Da.
I really don’t see why this had to be recalled! Sometimes we need to let the past stay in the past and just pray instead of bringing such sorrowful memories back every time something happens. The families of all those who lost their lives in St. Lucia are in my prayers, but there was no need to recall this accident of 36yrs ago.
DONT BE SO INSENSITIVE
DNO HAS A RIGHT TO EDUCATE AND INFORM DOMINCANS
ITS A HISTORICAL FACT ! WE NEEDAS A PEOPLE TO REFLECT ON SUCH EVENTS PAINFUL AS THEY ARE TO TAKE STOCK OF OUR LIVES….WHAT ARE WE ? SOMETIMES WE TAKE OUR GOIN-OUTS AND COMING-INS FOR GRANTED…THE BREATH OF LIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD WE HAVE TO ALWAAYS GIVE JAH THANKS FOR HE ALONE IS SUPREME!
PLEASE PRAY FOR ST LUCIANS AND LET US CONTINUE TO ASK GOD TO FORGIVE US FOR OUR SINS AS WE FIRGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGINST US!
SUCH CAN HAPEN TO US AGAIN AND HENCE WE MUST SHOW MERCY AND GOD WILL SPARE US AT ALL TIMES…LETS BE HUMBLE AND REACH OUT EVEN TO THOSE WHO DONT LOVE US.
Well said DF to our sister island u are in our prayers as time go by u will heal but u will never forget.For god so love the world he gave his only son.
Totally agree….it’s like reliving World War 2…by watching those clips…many of us never experienced ’cause we were nt born…but pics on TV replay over & over so we’ll witness what it was like back then
“Realist” maybe you need to do some research on the term “Realist” They mostly belive in things that actually happen. I do not understand your logic.
I guees u should change your name to unrealist,mr reatist.
I’m sure when you posted your comment you really wished that you could take what you wrote back.
Do you think that all the rememberance days all over the world are a waste of time, reminding people of past tragedies. Well, tell the US not to remember 9/11. Tell the Jews not to remember the Holocaust. Tell the UK not to remember WW1 & WW2. AND tell the black race not to remember the slave trade.
I never knew about this sad and fatal accident, so I’m thankful to DNO.
OK REAL A**
I am glad to read the story and I wanted to keep the photos too because my close relative I can make out in the photo. Although I felt a bit sad but I am still glad to take a look.
I remembered that night, when a man ran in to the police station in Roseau, with the news. Police and Fire men left immediately to the site. The crusade was in full swing at the Windsor Park, not knowing that their brothers and sisters were in trouble. What a night What a night it was
i think one lady lost six kids in this
yes she did. I remembered them with nice colo
r eyes
wow, st lucia will recover like we did
papa didnt even know that happened in dca….thanks dno! can imagine wat lucians going through now
thanks for the history lesson dno…wasn’t born yet back then
The accompanying photos to the story brought tears to my eyes, since I was a teenager at the time and can remember going to view the bodies. Let us all pray especially for the families of the deceased in St. Lucia and the whole of St. Lucia and all travellers by road, air and sea. What happened in St. Lucia can happen at any moment in Dominica, since we have the same terrain.
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