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A Toronto-area family who were reportedly rushing their toddler to the hospital were among four people killed in a collision in Jamaica.

A spokesman for Foreign Affairs confirms that Garieno Dixon, 27, mother Diane, 32, and their two-year-old Ronaldinho Dixon, died following the accident.

The child's 45-year-old grandmother, Marie Myrie-Smith of Jamaica, was also killed.

The Jamaica Gleaner says the family awoke Wednesday morning to find the child not breathing and rushed him to hospital.

Less than five minutes from Ms. Myrie-Smith's home, all four were killed when their car collided head-on with a truck while trying to overtake a line of traffic.

Ms. Myrie-Smith's husband, Gerald, 42, realized they had left their cellphones and took a taxi to meet them at the hospital, but was stopped at the accident site.

The Gleaner says Mr. Smith got out of the taxi and walked up to the car, and realized that it was the one transporting his wife and family members.

"I could not believe it was them," he told the Gleaner. "I could not believe that they would all be dead."

The newspaper also says Ms. Myrie-Smith leaves behind two children, an 11-year-old and a five-year old. Diane Dixon was also reportedly the mother of a five-year-old, who was with the family in Jamaica, as well as a teenager.

A spokesman for Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy confirmed the deaths.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends of those killed in this tragic accident," he said.

"Canadian officials in Jamaica and Ottawa are providing consular assistance to the family during this difficult time."

The family was booked to return to Canada on Jan. 15, where the parents were permanent residents and the child was a citizen.

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