Usain Bolt in tears at Germaine Mason’s funeral

Sprinter Usain Bolt has been inconsolable at the funeral of his friend, Germaine Mason, who died on April 20.

Mason, an Olympic silver medallist, died after the motorcycle he was driving crashed along the Palisdoes strip in Kingston.

Mason’s funeral is being held at the Hagley Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kingston. His body will be buried in Long Road, Portland.

Bolt, who last Friday journeyed to Long Road to assist in digging Mason’s grave, is one of the pallbearers. The world class sprinter has been extremely close to Mason for a number of years. He and former Reggae Boyz and Bolton Wanderers star Ricardo Gardner, who essentially grew up with the high jumper, were among those who arrived early on the scene where Mason crashed.

Gardner, who is also a pallbearer, has been struggling to hold back the tears. The footballer had penned a heartfelt tribute to his friend following his untimely death.

“Life is the ultimate and I wish I could turn back the hands of time. They say this will get easier but it’s becoming harder each day not having you around,” Gardner wrote.

Similar words were expressed by Kurt Gardener was attended Wolmer’s Boys School with Mason. With Olympians Michael Frater and Nesta Carter by his side, Gardener said: “They say time will help but it keeps getting harder and harder.”

“I will try to stay strong for your family but when I am alone it is not easy staying strong,” he said at the funeral today.

Rudolph Brown photo: Germaine Mason’s body is being taken into the Hagley Park Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kingston.