Distraught, devastated, numb – these were some of the words people used to describe their feelings as they waited to board the buses from the car park of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and Queen’s College to make their way to Kensington Oval to bid farewell to the late Prime Minister David Thompson.
The first bus left the NCF car park at 6:30 a.m. filled with passengers all dressed in black and white. Esther Benn-Gooding was one of the passengers leaving that location. Benn-Gooding, who lives in South Carolina, said she had to come to Barbados to pay her respects to “a peaceful man as he rests peacefully”, noting that Thompson left an “awesome legacy”.
General manager of Divi Southwinds, Alvin Jemmott, said it was a very sad day for him.
“I have come to accept the fact that the Prime Minister died and I am grateful for what he has done for the country . . . ”, he said.
Two of those who also left the Queen’s College location were former Opposition Leader Clyde Mascoll and St Lucy Member of Parliament Denis Kellman.
William Grant, who is also an avid DLP supporter, said he first learnt of the Prime Minister’s death while in Panama.
“I was shocked. I was in disbelief. It is very solemn. We have lost a great man before his time. He sacrificed a lot of his life and time for this country. We lost a great son of the soil and we just hope we can carry on his intentions,” said Grant.
