ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — A quiet Wednesday morning took a grim turn in the Bog Walk Gorge as a man’s vehicle ended up in the depths of the Rio Cobre, cutting short what should have been a routine journey.
The deceased has been confirmed as Garfield Batts, 58, a mechanical engineer residing in Green Acres, Spanish Town.
According to early details, Batts was behind the wheel of a Nissan Frontier heading through the gorge when the vehicle veered off the narrow roadway and entered the river below. The sequence of events leading to the incident remains unclear, but officials were called to the location around 6:30 a.m.
Both police and fire personnel responded. After locating the submerged truck, efforts were made to retrieve the victim. Batts was pulled from the water and rushed to hospital, but medical staff were unable to revive him.
The area, often subject to mist and sharp corners, has seen several incidents over the years. This latest tragedy has again raised concerns over driver safety and infrastructure vulnerabilities within the gorge.
Authorities are investigating all possible contributing factors as loved ones and colleagues mourn the sudden loss.
