A JUTC bus after it crashed into a ditch on Marcus Garvey Drive, St Andrew, yesterday. - Ian Allen

Yesterday was arguably a blue day for at least two Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus drivers and several passengers as the buses they were travelling in, both experienced accidents.

In the first mishap, which happened about 9 a.m., a bus which plies the Kingston to Portmore route ended up making a crashing stop in a ditch metres away from the Kingston Wharves wall.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport and Works, Reginald Allen, said the driver lost control of the vehicle upon reaching the highway and crashed into barriers along the roadway. Some 11 passengers and a passer-by received minor injuries.

Ill luck struck again some three hours later, as another JUTC bus overturned on the Hellshire main road shortly after midday. In that accident several persons received minor injuries with one person breaking an arm.

Reports said speeding may have been a factor in that accident.

Yesterday's incidents bring to three the number of crashes involving JUTC units this month.

On February 4, at least two persons, including the bus driver, were injured after a JUTC bus ran on to the embankment near the Mother's restaurant in Half Way Tree, St. Andrew.

In that incident, Allen said the bus was en route to Half-Way Tree from Duhaney Park when the brakes failed while turning a corner.