POLICE and divers are still looking for the body of Corporal Vincent Bent, believed to have drowned after falling into the Rio Cobre during a shootout with gunmen in Gordon Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine this morning.

Divers from the community are currently in the river using flotation devices and long bamboo sticks to locate the body.

Another policeman, who also fell in, was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition.

According to one diver that section of the river is very deep.

"Especially right there where they are searching, and because the rain have been falling from week, the river is running faster," he said.

The incident happened about 6:00 am this morning when a police patrol was reportedly fired at by gunmen, when they went to a house in the 'Monkey Town' area of the community.

The gunmen then ran towards the river bank and the police gave chase. Minutes later the two policemen fell into the river.

Two illegal firearms were reportedly found at the house. One of the alleged gunmen who was seen hiding in bushes, was taken to the Spanish Town Police Station.

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Policeman drowns in shootout