Bajan dies after accident in New York

The death of a 47-year-old Barbadian in a New York City traffic accident has plunged his relatives into mourning.Mark Layne, a construction worker who lived with his mother, Norma Layne, 65, was hit by a bus on Wednesday evening in Queens when he attempted to cross Farmers Boulevard, a busy street.He was rushed to Franklin General Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.“I rushed to the hospital,” said his mother. “I got to see him one last time. I touched his hand and said ‘I love you, you’re my son’. He was already dead. I will miss him.”The dead man was a naturalised American citizen who went to the United States with his mother more than 20 years ago. Relatives and neighbours said that Layne, who lived in Laurelton in Queens, repaired homes in the district by doing odd jobs.His aunt Ernesta Layne described him as a “very good person” who could always be relied on “to do anything for you at anytime”.He was on his way from a friend’s house around 10:30 p.m. when the accident occurred. (TB)