A GRIEVING mum is desperately trying to raise enough cash to fly to Jamaica after one of her sons was killed and another left fighting for his life in a car smash.

Jaqueline Holness’s eldest son Romaine McLean, aged 23, died last Thursday after his blue Mitsubishi motor car collided with a lorry in Lilliput, Jamaica.

Her youngest son, Eshayne Clarke, aged just 17, suffered severe head injuries in the accident and is fighting for his life in intensive care.

Doctors have warned Miss Holness, from Little Lever, that Eshayne may need round the clock care as a result of brain damage from the crash.

The mum-of-three, who has been a British citizen for nine years, says she cannot afford her plane ticket home — and does not know how she will care for her injured son.

Miss Holness, aged 38, said: “It is really hard because I have so much to think about. I am trying to be strong but I don’t know how I’m going to get back to Jamaica to bury my eldest son and care for my youngest.

“I don’t know how I will pay for the funeral or plane fare and I’m worried I could lose my flat while I’m away. The doctors have told me he could be totally dependent on me for his care. I first came to Britain for a better life but now I don’t know what I can do.”


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The 38-year-old first moved to London in 2001 and planned for her children to join her.

She moved to Bolton three years later but her subsequent visa applications for her three children to come to the UK have been rejected by the Home Office based on her low income.

Without a visa, Eshayne will not be able to join his mother in the UK.

And with high rates of unemployment in Jamaica, Miss Holness claims it would be difficult for her to care for her son and survive financially in her native country.

She plans to apply for a visa for her son to come to the UK and has sought support from MP for Bolton South East Yasmin Qureshi.

Ms Qureshi: “Miss Holness contacted my office to ask for help in trying to get her son to join her in the UK after this awful incident in Jamaica.

“I sincerely hope her son recovers as soon as possible and I have offered to help by writing a letter of support for the future application they submit. I would hope the Home Office would look at their exceptional situation and allow them to be reunited in the UK.”

Miss Holness worked as an administrator at the Bolton Community Transport charity.

She also graduated from Bolton University in July with a degree in business management.

Miss Holness last saw Romaine when she visited Jamaica in September.

She said: “It is so difficult when you lose your child. Romaine was very bubbly and the most affectionate out all of my kids.

“He was loved by everyone in the community in Lilliput too. It’s been hard for them because their father was killed and my father was murdered when driving his taxi three years ago.

“My mother is still alive but she suffers with high blood pressure. I don’t know how I will care for my son who survived the crash.”

Friends of Miss Holness held a remembrance event and fundraiser at La Spatule M&L in Bradshawgate.