Old Harbour man dies in suspected case of drowning

Tariq Melvin, a native of Bodles and resident of Marlie Mount here in southwest St Catherine was formally pronounced dead at hospital after his body was pulled from waters at Streamz Palmz river, a popular scenic attraction for locals and foreigners in Toll Gate, Clarendon.

Information reaching Old Harbour News is that Melvin and other relatives went to the location for day of fun and frolic before tragedy struck.

However, sometime around 1:15 pm it said that he was observed sitting on a rock while telling others that the area in front of him was “very deep”.

Moments later Melvin - also known as ‘Coolie’ - was noticeably missing from atop the rock. An alarm was raised and during a search his body was observed floating in the waters.

Emergency crew, including the police, was summoned to the scene following which the body was removed by a team of firefighters. 

Melvin’s death has sent shockwaves throughout the Old Harbour area. A talented football player who represented Vere Technical during his high school years and Bodles FC, Melvin was a quiet unassuming young man who was beloved by all.

The dad of a three-year-old son was a contracted truck driver who hauled goods for the Wisynco Group.