Emergency response teams in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, are engaged in a critical search operation after a vehicle carrying two individuals plunged into the Black River from the Lacovia Bridge on Friday afternoon. The incident, which occurred around 1:00 pm, has left one man feared dead as rescue divers struggle to locate the submerged car.
According to local Councillor Christopher Williams of the Jamaica Labour Party (Santa Cruz division), the vehicle was traveling on the Lacovia main road when the driver reportedly lost control upon reaching the bridge, causing it to veer off the road and into the river. The tragedy highlights long-standing safety concerns, as the bridge’s protective railings have been structurally compromised for several years. Councillor Williams confirmed that these existing weaknesses were further exacerbated by the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28.
In a fortunate turn of events, the passenger, identified as the driver’s stepson, managed to escape the sinking vehicle. He sustained significant injuries to his eyes and ears during the ordeal. The young man recounted to authorities that he struggled to release his seatbelt before ultimately deciding to swim to the surface to save himself, leaving the driver behind in the submerged car.
A multi-agency response is currently underway at the scene, with divers from the Jamaica Fire Brigade and officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force leading the recovery efforts. The operation now faces the dual challenge of locating the vehicle and its missing occupant in the river’s currents, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructure reassessment in the region.