Search continues for teen who drowned at beach in St. Elizabeth

 

Another attempt is being made to recover the body of a 17-year-old boy who drowned at the Frenchman Beach in St. Elizabeth on Sunday. 

 

He has been identified as Dejaughn Graham of Comfort district in Manchester. 

 

Radio Jamaica News was informed that the teenager was among persons swimming at the popular public beach in Treasure Beach about 4 p.m., when he got into difficulty and was swept away.

 

A search was carried out by fishermen and the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard, but there was no sign of the teen. 

 

Volunteer lifeguards at Frenchman Beach, who spoke with Radio Jamaica News, lamented the disregard shown to them by beach goers. They say despite warnings not to venture into the sea when it's unsafe, they are ignored. 

 

"Some a dem weh come here, dem can't swim...and dem a go which part the current deh and dem nah listen," one of the volunteers complained.

 

"We show dem di sign and they don't listen and do di ting di opposite way, and when dem in [difficulty] now, dem a call fi help. Give away dem three points just like that," another volunteer lifeguard bemoaned, as he insisted the teen had been warned multiple times. 

 

Another volunteer lifeguard and fisherman, Mark Taylor, has recommended that the authorities hire a dedicated team of lifeguards to respond to emergencies at Frenchman Beach. 

 

"Too much life, right a dah likkle spot right here suh, just go like that because no assistance of lifeguard on the beach. So we don't know if the government or the hotel owner dem, or anybody weh hopefully woulda help to get two lifeguard, or even a likkle boat weh can help; when di fisherman dem gone out, that boat is still on the dock," he suggested.