Drownings mar Emancipation/Independence celebrations in Negril
NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Twenty-year-old Odrique Nembhard, of Summerset Road in Manchester, became the second person to drown in Negril in less than a week when he got into difficulties and drowned at a crowded public beach on Independence Day.
Reports are that Nembhard left home with a number of friends at about 10:30 am on August 6 to spend the day at the beach, one of the more popular holiday activities across the island.
Shortly after arriving at the seven-mile stretch of beach, he reportedly went for a swim, got into difficulties and drowned before help could reach him.
Following Nembhard’s death, constable Damion Ricketts, the information officer stationed at the Negril Police Station, has urged beach users to take the necessary precautions when they enter the waters.
“The police is using this medium to appeal to locals and foreigners alike, that when they use the public beach in Negril to be extra careful,” he said.
“There are no life guards on duty,” he warned “so you should stay within an area where you are better able to manoeuvre yourself.”
On Sunday August 3, another Manchester man lost his life along the same stretch of beach; and some of those who frequent the beach are now expressing concern about the safety of the area.
According to craft vendor, Juanita Whyte, there is a huge hole in a section of the bathing area which many persons are not aware of.
She has suggested that hotel operators should warn their guests of the hole before they make use of the facility, unexpectedly fall in and panic, which may lead to drowning.
Whyte, who is often on the beach, also suggested that some areas — such as the section with the hole — should be cordoned off and deemed non-swim areas.