‘We just jump in’ - divers risk lives to save teens in Rio Cobre, one still missing

With no goggles, no gear, and no guarantee of safety, a group of civilian divers plunged into the dark, rushing waters of the Rio Cobre late Tuesday night in a desperate attempt to save lives after a vehicle carrying teenagers plunged into the river.

The rescue unfolded sometime after 11:45 p.m., when a car reportedly veered off the roadway and ended up in the river. It is believed that a teenage boy was behind the wheel.

Two teenagers were pulled from the water alive, but a third remains missing, triggering a frantic overnight search by residents and volunteer divers.

One of the divers, Donna Williams, said she was jolted awake after her daughter raised an alarm about the crash.

"Mi daughter come wake mi up and tell mi say vehicle inna the river and dem want driver," she recounted.

Williams said she later made her way to the scene, where she and others wasted no time jumping into the river.

"When we reach, we see the vehicle inna the water. Me, mi son and others just go in. We never have no gear, no goggles... we just go down there," she said.

The search continued into the early morning hours, with divers navigating dangerous conditions in an effort to locate the missing teen.

Another diver, Delgado Smith, said while they are committed to helping, they are putting their lives on the line every time they enter the water.

"We need more support. We a go down inna the water without proper equipment. It dangerous," he said, adding that they often face poor visibility and strong currents.

Smith revealed that he has been involved in multiple rescue efforts in the Rio Cobre over time, sometimes retrieving bodies under extremely difficult conditions.

He is now calling on the Government to provide proper diving gear and support to those who regularly respond to such emergencies.

"We a beg dem fi help we. We risking we life every time," he said.

Up to late morning, efforts were still underway to locate the missing teenager as the community remained on edge, hoping for closure in the tragic incident.

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