ST CATHERINE — Two divers who have saved many motor vehicle accident victims from drowning in the waters under the Flat Bridge were on Friday presented with diving equipment.

The gift, which included a bail of plastic rope, slippers, goggles, snorkels and diving suits, was donated to Devon McCloughin, courtesy of the Linstead Chapter of the Association of Returning Residents (ARR).

Most of the equipment was sourced in Canada at a cost of over J$20,000.

President of the five year-old Association, Loretta Small, told the Observer that the idea to present the equipment to the divers came from a suggestion by one of her members, Ann Hamilton.

And her efforts have not stopped at Friday’s donation. Hamilton told the Observer that she would like the Government to compensate the divers for their gallant rescue efforts in the face of danger.

According to Small, the divers’ plight caught the Association’s attention because of the high accident rate at the bridge.

“When we returned to reside in Linstead, almost every week there was an accident at the bridge, and you would hear of the fellows who would jump in the river — unprotected — to rescue the people,” she explained. “I thought that something had to be done because the fellows who risk their lives needed some help.”