WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – A businessman was shot and injured during an attempted ambush at Delve-Land in Little London, Westmoreland, on Wednesday night.

The businessman, who is also a licensed firearm holder, narrowly escaped with his life after he and several gunmen traded bullets, the police said.

Information reaching Observer Online indicated that shortly after 9:00 pm, the businessman was driving his white Toyota Hiace bus along the Delve-land main road when he reached a cane field with a narrow concrete and metal bridge.

He realised the bridge was blocked with debris from banana trees and pieces of sticks and stopped. Gunmen armed with rifles reportedly pounced upon the businessman from the cane field.

He reportedly pulled his licensed firearm and discharged several rounds in the direction of the gunmen. The men fled through the cane field while returning the gunfire.

When the shooting subsided, the businessman discovered that he was shot in the right side of his chest and right upper arm. His bus received gunshot damages to the right driver door post and right side door glass.

Police, who responded to the incident, rushed the businessman to hospital, where he was treated and admitted in serious condition.