Two Jamaican farm workers lost their lives in a motor vehicle collision in Ontario Canada yesterday.

The labour ministry identified them as David Lindsay of Lawrence Tavern, St. Andrew, and Rupert Bell of Old Harbour, St. Catherine.

According to the ministry, Mr. Lindsay and Mr. Bell were long-standing participants in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP), having worked in Canada since 2007 and 2013, respectively.

Both arrived for the current season on March 18.

The ministry which revealed the deaths says its deeply saddened.

A ministry statement notes that according to information released by the Ontario Provincial Police, emergency responders were dispatched shortly after 4:00 p.m. to a collision involving an off- road utility vehicle and a sport utility vehicle.

The OPP reported that there were three occupants in the off-road vehicle. One occupant was transported to hospital with injuries, while the driver and a passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.

The operator of the sport utility vehicle was also transported to hospital with injuries. the circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation.

The ministry says the workers were participants in the seasonal agricultural workers programme
(sawp).

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr., has expressed profound sadness at the tragic loss, stating that the death of these two workers is a painful reminder of the sacrifices many Jamaicans make to provide for their families.

He says two families are facing unimaginable loss, and the ministry stands ready to provide support as they navigate this tragedy.

The ministry says its maintaining close contact with the Jamaican liaison service in Canada and the relevant Canadian authorities.

Liaison officers have been mobilized and are assisting with efforts to ascertain the circumstances of the incident and provide support to the affected families.