DANGEROUS SINKHOLE WITH DEAD FARMER KEEPS RESCUERS AT BAY
After attempts over several days, police and fire personnel are yet to recover the body of a farmer they believe fell into a sinkhole in a remote area of south St Ann.
It is widely believed that a farmer who disappeared several days ago fell into a sinkhole and died.
He has been identified as 60-year-old Robert Nelson of McDowell, near Bensonton.
Reports are that Nelson left his house in the community to go to his farm on Monday, February 19. The following day, after he had not returned, a search was started.
Police and the fire brigade personnel were later directed to a sinkhole where it was believed he had fallen in. A stench was coming from the hole.
The hole is 120 feet deep and they have not been able to remove the body.
Its configuration is said to be causing difficulty of access and poses a danger to anyone entering, as the mouth is very narrow. The stench of an apparently decomposing body has made matters worse.
(Image of a sinkhole from inside. Not the one in this story)
Senior Superintendent of Police Dwight Powell told the North Coast Times that police have made several attempts to enter the hole. He said they had reached out to the Jamaica Defence Force who also found access difficult and the task dangerous.
He said he was telling his men to exercise care as he did not want anyone to come to harm in trying to retrieve the body. “It’s a dangerous situation. We want to preserve life,” SSP Powell said.
