ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The police are reporting that six bodies were removed from the Rio Cobre in St Catherine after a vehicle ran off the road and into the river early this morning. One man is still missing.

Dead are: 43-year-old Stephen Ricketts, Benjamin Ellis, Shaveon Ricketts, Shujay Ricketts and Shantel Morris all of Commodore district, Linstead in St Catherine. The sixth victim has been identified as Oneil Robinson.

Reports from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communication Unit (CCU) are that about 1:00am, the six were amongst eight people in a Suzuki Grand Vitara motorcar travelling towards Bog Walk, when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and ran into the river. Investigators say it appears the deceased drowned before help could reach them.

A 19-year-old man was rescued and is now in hospital, while the search continues for another.

The motor vehicle was removed from the water with the assistance of the Spanish Town Fire Department and the Jamaica Defence Force.

More information later.