Jamaican rescue teams have successfully recovered both a submerged vehicle and the body of its male driver following a tragic incident at the historic Lacovia Bridge in St. Elizabeth. The operation, conducted by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard divers on Saturday afternoon, concluded the search that began after the pickup truck veered off the compromised bridge into the Black River on Friday.
According to official statements released via JDF’s Instagram channel, divers from the Second District Coast Guard unit located the vehicle in the riverbed. During the recovery operation, they discovered one deceased individual trapped within the cabin of the submerged pickup. The JDF extended its formal condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim, acknowledging the profound difficulty of their loss.
Preliminary investigations by local authorities indicate the accident occurred between mid-morning and mid-afternoon on Friday as the vehicle was traveling toward the town of Black River. Witness accounts and initial evidence suggest the driver lost control before the vehicle left the roadway and entered the water.
The investigation has revealed significant infrastructure concerns surrounding the accident site. The Lacovia Bridge’s safety rails have reportedly been in a state of disrepair for several years, with their condition further deteriorating during Hurricane Melissa’s passage on October 28. This structural deficiency has raised questions about transportation safety infrastructure in the region.
In a related development, reports confirm that the victim’s stepson managed to escape the sinking vehicle through heroic measures, swimming to safety before the pickup became fully submerged. Police authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending formal identification and family notifications.