BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AN autopsy performed on 15-year-old Jovan Eddy confirmed that he died of asphyxia as a result of drowning.
District ‘B’ Commander Superintendent Cromwell Henry told SKNVibes that the post mortem was conducted yesterday (Jul. 22) by resident pathologist Dr. Adrian Nunez.
Eddy lost his life on Tuesday (Jul. 21) afternoon when he went swimming with others at Pump Bay, Fig Tree.
Reports indicated that while swimming towards some fishing boats anchored out at sea, Eddy developed difficulty and became immersed in the water.
An individual who was swimming with him swam back to shore and alerted some adults who retrieved Eddy from the sea and attempts were made to revive him.
He was transported via ambulance to the Joseph N. France General Hospital where he was pronounced dead, while another individual who was swimming with him was transported to the Pogson Hospital where he was warded.
Superintendent Henry said the second individual has since been discharged from the hospital.
He advised that parents and guardians should ensure proper supervision for their charges during the summer days when children have far more time on their hands.
“During the summer there is an increase in the number of children at home and instead of engaging in planned group activities some of them engage in activities of their own. And some of these are dangerous and risky, such as going to the beach and they tend not to exercise any caution; hence, the increase in drownings during the summer period.
“We therefore caution parents to ensure greater supervision of their children during the day time and to instill a greater sense of caution in them when they do in fact go to the beach. If they cannot swim, avoid going in waters where they cannot stand and, if they can swim, do not take unnecessary risks by venturing out too far or jumping from some pier, boats, rocks or other surfaces in the water. There is an inherent danger in doing that, which can result in death or serious injury.”
