Crash on Spur Tree Hill leaves communities without electricity and water

A motor vehicle crash along Spur Tree Hill has triggered a chain reaction of disruptions, leaving sections of St Elizabeth and Manchester without both electricity and running water.

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) reported that the accident knocked out power to several communities, plunging areas such as Santa Cruz, Pepper, Braes River, Bogue, Elim, Leeds, Burnt Ground, New River and Brighton into darkness.

But the situation quickly worsened. The National Water Commission (NWC) confirmed that the power outage has crippled operations at key water facilities, cutting off supply to a wide cross-section of customers served by the Spur Tree, Pepper and Greater Mandeville systems.

Among the affected communities in St Elizabeth are Spur Tree, Downs, Prospect, Farm, Nain, Kingsland, Greenvale, Pepper, New Castle, Lucky Valley, Ruinett, Phantiland, Grosmond, Goshen, Bongo Hill and Content.

In Manchester, residents in areas including Mandeville, Hatfield, Georges Valley, Richmond, Grey Ground, Woodlawn, Caledonia, May Day, Marshalls Pen and Mike Town are also feeling the impact.

Both agencies say efforts are underway to restore normality, with JPS indicating that power is expected to be back by 3:00 p.m. once the situation is made safe.

The NWC has urged customers to be patient, assuring that water supply will resume as soon as electricity is restored to the affected systems.

In the meantime, residents are being left to cope as the double blow of no light and no water disrupts daily life.

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-25