ST MARY, Jamaica — The body of the St Mary taxi operator who drowned while trying to cross a flooded ford on Saturday was retrieved from the Duck River in Hopewell, Highgate in the parish.

The deceased has been identified as 51-year-old Hansel “Suga” Shaye of a Richmond address.

Residents reportedly fished the body from the silver Probox motor car the deceased was driving at the time of his death. The two passengers who were travelling with him at the time of the incident are still in hospital recuperating.

According to reports the taxi operator was coming from Highgate en route to John Crow Spring with two passengers on board. Upon reaching Richmond Road, which was allegedly impassable, the taxi operator decided to take an alternate route through Marlborough.

It is alleged that upon reaching the Duck River ford, the driver reportedly attempted to cross but became trapped. The silver Toyota Probox he was driving was then swept away by floodwaters.

The two passengers managed to escape but sustained broken bones and were taken to Annotto Bay Hospital for treatment.

READ: Taxi operator drowns while attempting to cross flooded ford