A 65-year-old man from Portmore died after his truck veered off Flat Bridge in Bog Walk, St Catherine, and plunged into the river below. Surveillance footage was released, showing the incident which occurred on Sunday night.
The victim, identified as Noel Lloyd Patterson from Pines, Portmore, was travelling in a Toyota Hiace motor truck around 10:40 p.m. Reports state that he lost control of the vehicle as he came upon the bridge, causing him to drive off the bridge and fall into the Rio Cobre. In the footage, his vehicle can be seen veering left before it drops off the bridge and disappears under the water.
According to a local report, Patterson was retrieved from the water, but he was later pronounced dead. His cause of death was confirmed to be drowning. Up to 7:00 a.m. Monday, the vehicle remained submerged in the river. Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the crash, though preliminary theories suggest excessive speeding, driver error, inattention, or some form of distraction.
The disturbing footage of his death has once again raised longstanding concerns about the safety of the notoriously dangerous crossing. With no visible collision or obstruction that caused the incident, many viewers are left baffled.
Social media quickly flooded with emotional reactions, expressions of sympathy, and frustration over the recurring incidents at Flat Bridge. “This is a nightmare, omggg. Condolences to his family,” one user wrote.
Others questioned the condition of the bridge and the government’s inaction. “Why flat bridge can’t be fixed again?” another commented. One person added, “With so much advancement in technology, one would think this bridge would be fixed by now.”
There were also speculations about the driver’s state, with viewers wondering if he had fallen asleep, suffered a medical emergency, or was under the influence. Some even alluded to spiritual beliefs, calling the area “cursed” or “haunted”.
A few users defended the bridge’s structural integrity, pointing instead to driver negligence. “The bridge is in good condition; however, concerns about driver behaviour are valid,” one commenter explained.
Still, the overwhelming consensus was clear: urgent safety upgrades, especially railings, are needed to prevent more tragedies. “How many more lives have to be lost?” one user asked. “This bridge has taken too many.”
