Man washed away in Collie Smith Drive Gully found dead
News Update: According to the Jamaica Gleaner, the police have recovered the body of 20-year-old Alrick Moncrieffe, who was swept away by floodwaters in Havana, Arnett Gardens, St Andrew, during the passage of Hurricane Beryl last week. The body was reportedly found around 10:45 a.m. in the water on the outskirts of the Petrojam plant in Kingston. It was subsequently towed by the Marine Police to the Greenwich Farm fishing village, where his family members identified the body at approximately 11:15 a.m.
A woman informed TVJ News that a resident of Trench Town was carried away by the current after he jumped into the gully in an attempt to retrieve a ball.
According to the woman, the men were playing football during Hurricane Beryl in Havanah, at the top of the Collie Smith Drive Gully. The ball fell into the tumultuous water of the gully. The eyewitness told reporter Kirk Wright that the man is in his 20s and despite efforts to locate him, he has not been seen since.
The man has been identified as Alrick Moncrieffe, otherwise called ‘Kolanji’ or ‘Lala’, 20-year-old from Arnett Gardens in St Andrew.
Moncrieffe’s sister, who asked not to be named, told The Gleaner that her brother had just left the home to play football with friends when shortly after the family was informed that he was washed away by floodwaters. The report states that late Wednesday evening, concerned friends and relatives were observed hastening to and from the May Pen Cemetery, through which the Collie Smith Drive gully channels floodwaters before discharging into the sea, in a desperate attempt to locate the missing youngster.
The Andrew Holness led administration had implemented curfew, stating that given the strength, path, and potential threat posed by Hurricane Beryl, a curfew will be imposed under the Disaster Risk Management Act from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. This curfew aims to protect lives and prevent criminal activities.
Nevertheless, many residents in the corporate area chose not to adhere to the curfew. Many was seen outside playing football, dancing in the streets and even gyrating on police vehicles.