A 16-year-old boy drowned inside a National Water Commission (NWC) storage tank in Clarendon after he and a group of boys went swimming in the restricted area earlier this week.
The tank, located in the Psalmers Cross community, has been breached many times by children over the years who took the area as a recreational spot despite warnings. There were no recorded drownings at the location until 3:30 p.m. On Wednesday, when Orville McCloud experienced difficulties while swimming with his friends.
Reports say Orville’s right arm got caught in an outlet valve, forcing him to remain below the water for an extended period. The suction force within the system was so strong that it pulled in all of his hand, keeping him trapped up to the shoulder.
A man in the area reportedly attempted to assist but was unable to pull the teen loose due to the pressure. An alarm was raised, and the teen’s father, Alpheus McCloud, was quickly informed. McCloud said when he was told the devastating news of his son being stuck in the tank, his partner, Orville’s mother, was not home. However, she arrived just as he was about to ride his bicycle to the scene.
Orville was not freed until Firefighters from the May Pen Fire Station arrived at the scene and eventually pulled him out. He was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital. Police theorise that the incident was an accidental drowning and noted that there were no signs of foul play.
The incident has drawn attention to ongoing safety concerns at the Red Road facility. Residents have acknowledged that young people have been entering the compound for years, often bypassing barriers to swim. The NWC confirmed that the site is not intended for recreational use and warned that such facilities pose serious and often unseen dangers.
In a statement, the commission expressed condolences to the family and emphasised that restricted areas are in place to protect both the public and critical infrastructure. Officials also revealed that just days before the incident, individuals had been found inside the facility and were told to leave.
A new lock was reportedly installed shortly after, but it was later discovered to have been removed, allowing access once again. Authorities say additional security measures will now be implemented, while urging parents and guardians to warn children about the risks associated with entering restricted areas.
