NEW YORK, October 8, 2012 – Grenada’s Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has expressed sadness upon learning of the bus accident in New Jersey on Saturday which injured about two dozen passengers including Grenadian nationals. The chartered bus, which left Toronto, Canada, last Friday, was carrying a number of Caribbean nationals including a group of Grenadians attending an Annual Adventist Church Convention in Brooklyn, NY. The bus overturned on an exit ramp in Wayne, New Jersey early Saturday morning resulting in the hospitalisation of 51 year-old Christabel Francois of Mt Rich, St Patrick but who resides in Toronto. Prime Minister Thomas, who also has Ministerial responsibility for Foreign Affairs, spoke to Ms Francois via telephone on Monday, expressing best wishes on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada. In a statement issued on Monday, Permanent Secretary Elizabeth Henry-Greenidge also wished Ms Francois a speedy recovery. “It is with sadness that we learnt of a vehicular accident involving Grenadian nationals that took place on Saturday 6 October 2012 en-route from Toronto to New York,” the statement reads. “We were further saddened to learn that Ms. Christabel Francois sustained injuries which necessitated her being hospitalised. On behalf of the Prime Minister, Members of Cabinet and the people of Grenada we wish her a speedy recovery and we thank the Almighty for the safety of the other occupants of the vehicle.” Consul General Derrick James, who visited Francois at a New Jersey Hospital on Monday, said that the patient remains in high spirits. The Grenada Consulate has also conveyed relevant information to the Canadian authorities through Consul General Jenny Gumbs in Toronto. Francois will be 52 on Thursday.