Two drowning deaths at separate beaches

Police are investigating two separate drowning incidents which claimed the lives of an 80-year-old man and 42-year-old woman on Monday morning.

The body of Keith Evelyn Beckles of #3 Bluebell Drive, Husbands, St. James was discovered floating in the area of the Water Park along Brandons Beach, St. Michael, around 9:19 a.m.

According to Communications and Public Relations Officer for the Barbados Police Service Inspector Rodney Inniss, Beckles was at the beach with a group of friends when they got into difficulty due to the waters becoming choppy.

While the others were rescued by people on the shore, it was discovered that Beckles was missing. The Coast Guard was contacted and his body was retrieved and brought to shore by its personnel, and a medical doctor pronounced him dead.

Just over two hours later, a visitor spotted a body floating in the waters along Heywoods Beach, Speightstown, St. Peter, around 11:50 a.m. and pulled it ashore.

A medical doctor pronounced death, and a family member identified the body as that of Faye Anne Cadogan of Church Street Gardens, St Peter.

The police are asking anyone who can provide any information that can assist with their investigations into the drownings to call Police Emergency 211, Crime Stoppers at 1800-TIPS (8477) or the nearest Police Station.

(PR/JB)