Tivoli Gardens FC has been plunged into mourning on the eve of the club’s opening game of the new Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League season following the passing of one of their young prospects Delano Daley who died in motor vehicle accident on Eastwood Park Road in Half Way Tree, St. Andrew on Saturday morning.

Preliminary reports indicate that at approximately 3:40 am a Honda City motor car was traveling along Eastwood Park Road. The vehicle upon reaching the vicinity of 26 Eastwood Park Plaza, veered right off the roadway onto a private property, crashing into a wall and a wooden utility pole.

The vehicle was then engulfed in flames resulting in the five occupants sustaining injuries.

Three were pronounced dead at hospital.

Though the identities of the individuals were not initially ascertained, Tivoli Gardens confirmed that Daley, his sister and cousin were the occupants of the vehicle, which caught fire.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the tragic loss of our new addition, Delano Daley, who was taken from us too soon in a car accident this morning. Our Tivoli Gardens family is heartbroken and mourns the loss of this bright and promising star. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones, friends, and teammates during this difficult time. May Delano’s memory live on in our hearts, and may he rest in peace.” The club said in a social media post.

The tragic death of Daley, who recently joined from Waterhouse, comes on the eve of the 2024-25 JPL season, which kicks-off on Sunday with four matches.

Tivoli Gardens, who finished third on the standings at the end of the 2023-24 regular season standings, are scheduled to face Molynes United in the opening game of a double-header at the Tony Spalding Sports Complex.