Pain of Rock Gutter tragedy still fresh ten years later

by Christina Smith

For many, the month of January is one met with anticipation for a new year and the possibilities it brings.

However, for the North Windward community of Fancy, January is one marred with memories of death and loss.

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, scores of residents from Fancy, Owia and neighbouring communities participated in a candle light vigil as part of the activities for the tenth anniversary of the Rock Gutter tragedy where seven students lost their lives after a bus lost control and plunged off a cliff into the sea.

The vigil started from the Fancy hard court and was led by the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) band. A speaker truck blasted gospel music for the 75-minute walk to the site of the crash and residents danced and embraced each other while others wept openly calling out the names of the deceased children.

One of the grieving relatives who was emotional for the majority of the walk was Rochelle Ashton, mother of Raquel Ashton, a 17 year old student of the North Union Secondary School.

In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT Ashton said the days leading up to January 12 are always difficult for her family as she is usually flooded with memories of her daughter.

“I’m still affected by the death of my daughter. Sometimes it is still so hard. Many days I will sit down and cry and just let out my tears that I can feel better. I feel a little emotional. It’s something I can’t recover from because she was my best friend, we were close. Everyday I will tell myself I wish you were here. Sometimes words can’t express my feelings that she is no longer here with us.”

Ashton said she continues to find support in her surviving children, as well as the other grieving parents. One such pillar of support on the night of the vigil was Nelsia Stay, the mother of Chanstacia Stay, who also died in the crash; her body was never recovered.

While Stay was too overcome with emotions to speak to reporters, she comforted Ashton during the interview.

“Me and her [Raquel] always sit down. We talk a lot and she will encourage me and always tell me ’mummy don’t give up’. She always support me and always there for me and the moment she left, it’s so hard that everyday I have to live without her. Everyday I ask myself why,” Ashton related.

“Sometimes, like this morning, I sit down on the table and look at her picture and just let out my tears … she will always live in my heart forever. She was the center of my heart and the joy of my life. And I always say that no one will ever replace her. I love my children, yes, and everyday my son tells me he loves me and every year it is just bare memories.”

For the family of Anique Alexander, they too are flooded with memories every January. The Alexander family knows well the pain of death after losing the youngest family member in the crash and years later, her mother, Metheline Alexander, also passed away two years shy of the tenth anniversary.

Anique’s older sister, Brendeen Alexander, told SEARCHLIGHT it is unfortunate that their mother was not able to attend the tenth anniversary vigil but they are happy to see the turnout from the community.

“It feels really nice. I know this is something that my Mum would’ve wanted because she passed. For me and my sister to be out and show full support for her, it feels refreshing.

It’s been challenging, but we are getting there one step at a time,” Brendeen shared.

“This as a whole is bringing us together as a community. Some of the people here don’t even live in Fancy but they came out to support because this was a tragic day, still to this day.”

At the site of the crash, relatives placed wreaths at the monument bearing the names of the deceased children.

The vigil was followed by a memorial service in Fancy on Sunday, January 12, 2025.