Search for JCF recruit’s body to continue today after suspected drowning

A second search to locate the body of police recruit, Rayandre Pike, who is believed to have drowned yesterday at Tranquility Bay in St Elizabeth, is expected to continue early this morning.

Pike got pulled under the water while assisting a fellow recruit, who also encountered difficulties while swimming at the location.

The search to find the body of the 29-year-old recruit, who hails from Linstead in St Catherine, started sometime after noon yesterday, and will continue this morning with the assistance of the marine and local police, as well as local fishermen in and around Tranquility Bay and Treasure Beach.

Reports are that, shortly after 7:00 a.m. on Monday, Pike and other police trainees had just completed their training exercise at the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Training Centre in Tranquility Bay when they went for a swim at a beach close to the facility.

While at the beach, according to reports, Pike noticed that one of his colleagues, who had gone for a swim before him, was facing difficulties in the water.

He reportedly jumped into the water to assist his colleague, but the strong current swept him away before pulling him under the water.

UNFORTUNATE SITUATION

A senior officer from St Elizabeth told The Gleaner that Pike should be credited for saving the life of the other recruit who managed to escape with cuts and bruises.

“It is a very unfortunate situation, because the young recruit was instrumental in saving the life of his colleague,” the officer stated.

“I understand that waves were going as high as eight feet in the air, and yet he still managed to push his colleague on to the reef, before the strong waves pushed him towards a cave, and he was last seen being dragged out to sea.”

The senior policeman also stated that the search party could not operate until early afternoon, because of the strong waves and darkness of the water.

“As you can see that the police received great assistance from the local fishermen in the area, but they were unable to conduct an early search due to the water being dirty, and strong current and waves.”

Following news that the young recruit has been swept away at sea, the JCF High Command issued a release that it is deeply saddened over the unfortunate incident, and that Pike was part of an ambitious group of recruits who started their training with the JCF in March this year.

“The preliminary investigation has revealed that, after the completion of their morning physical training (PT), Rayandre, along with a few fellow recruits, ventured to a section of the beach to alleviate muscle fatigue,” the release stated.

“In a tragic turn of events, Rayandre lost his life attempting to aid a fellow recruit who had gotten into difficulty in the water. Despite being a stronger swimmer, he was overcome by a strong undertow.”

The JCF reminded the public and its members that, while their training exercises are designed to be rigorous, the safety of its personnel remains a priority.