Over the past weeks, the recurrence of some recent drowning incidents on the island demand immediate attention.
These events have largely gone unnoticed or failed to elicit public concern, which is unacceptable.
This ongoing issue has persisted over the years and warrants urgent action from the authorities to implement essential safety measures, including the deployment of lifeguards on beaches and the establishment of clear regulations and guidelines for swimmers, divers, and all beach users.
In the latest incident on September 28 at approximately 4:39 p.m., officers from the Choiseul Police branch responded to a report of a suspected drowning at River Doree Beach, Choiseul.
Initial investigations confirmed that one male was retrieved from the beach and transported to St. Jude’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The deceased has been identified as Cornelius Eugene, 51, of Roblot, Choiseul.
Additionally, on September 25 at around 5:00 a.m., the Gros Islet Police Station received a report of a suspected drowning near Five Dollar Beach, Cas En Bas.
Officers found the lifeless body of Keishon Felicien, 20, of St. John Street, Gros Islet, along the shoreline, and he was pronounced dead at the scene by a medical practitioner.
According to preliminary information from a witness, on the evening of September 24 around 8:00 p.m., Felicien and two others set out in a canoe to retrieve fishing nets.
A wave struck the canoe, causing it to overturn. While the others managed to swim safely to shore, Felicien struggled in the water.
A postmortem examination will confirm the exact cause of death, and the investigation into these incidents is ongoing.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force offers its condolences to the family and friends of Keishon Felicien during this challenging time.
Action must be taken to prevent further tragedies of this nature.