Man dies in suspected drowning at Manchester river

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A 53-year-old man is suspected to have drowned in the St Toolies River near Porus in Manchester Thursday evening. Police identified the deceased as 53-year-old Antonio Thomas otherwise called “Stram”, a construction worker and resident of Kendal district in Manchester. It is reported that about 6:00 pm, Thomas and his stepdaughter were at the river when he noticed that she got into difficulty in a 17-foot deep section of the river and tried to save her. During his attempt to rescue her, Thomas himself got into difficulty. Thomas and his stepdaughter were subsequently pulled from the water by residents. However, Thomas was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His stepdaughter survived. Councillor Claudia Morant-Baker (Jamaica Labour Party, Porus division) is urging visitors to the St Toolies River to seek guidance from residents before swimming there. “I wish for [visitors] to take precautions when they are going over to the river. There are residents who live within the vicinity. I know persons want their privacy, but at least say something to persons within the community that if anything is happening the residents within the space can assist where needed,” she said. “I am sorry to hear about the death of this gentleman, but I hope that persons will learn from this. It is a beautiful space, but there are hazards in that section and if you are not a good swimmer and you go into the deep water you can be in danger,” she added. — Kasey Williams