safety steps

MEDIA RELEASE: Thursday 30th November, 2023 – At approximately 0645hrs on the morning of Thursday 30 November 2023, the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF) Coast Guard received a report from the 91 1 Operator, informing of an accident which resulted in two individuals: an adult female and child entering rough waters at Devil’s bridge.

Coast Guard assets responded to the call and after arriving on scene at approximately 7:30 am, determined that the surging sea condition within the vicinity of the body was unsafe for navigation and were unable to gain access; therefore, the body, identified as the adult female was recovered at approx.8:02 am by members of the Antigua Barbuda Fire Service AlI Saints Station and Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

The asset continued to monitor the environment closely, in good faith of locating the missing child while a team of rescue divers made preparations to deploy; however, shortly afterwards the body of the second victim was discovered on a nearby shoreline approx. 200M south of the  initial search area by concerned members of the Willikies community.

Members of the Emergency Medical Services, ABDF Coast Guard and Antigua Barbuda Fire Service thereafter recovered and relocated the child to a central point, where the district doctor pronounced both dead at 9: 16 a.m. This unfortunate incident leaves one visibly distraught adult male, as the survivor of the unforeseen tragedy.

The ABDF takes this time to offer condolences to the extended family, friends and loved ones of the victims and urges all members of the general public to exercise extreme caution and due regard for safe practices when engaging in activities in the immediate vicinity of the maritime environment.