The incidents follow December's deadly crash in Portland's Rio Grande Valley which left 14 people dead.

In one accident, nine people have been left nursing injuries after the driver of an Isuzu Trooper transporting 18 people lost control as it descended a hill in Manchioneal, early yesterday morning. Police say the driver was intoxicated.

returning from a wake

According to reports, the accident occurred while the occupants were returning from a wake in the Barracks community, also in the parish, sometime between 1 and 3 a.m. yesterday.

Four people who were walking along the road were hit from behind before the vehicle crashed into a utility pole and then into a restaurant. A 60-year-old man, who was among those walking along the road, is said to have suffered a broken arm and leg.

21 rushed to hospital

Twenty-one people were rushed to the Port Antonio Hospital where 11 were treated and released. Two were transferred to the St Ann's Bay Hospital in critical condition.

Six miles away in Hector's River, a driver escaped unhurt after his Suzuki motor car sped off the road and plunged 25 feet down a precipice into rocks.