Port Kaituma teen drowns while swimming

Police in Port Kaituma, Region One, launched an investigation after 16-year-old Vernil Fredericks reportedly drowned while swimming on Sunday. The incident occurred at Canal Bank, Port Kaituma.

According to the Police report, at about 14:20 hrs, Fredericks was swimming in the middle of the river when he started screaming for help.

“He was then seen going under the water and did not resurface,” the Police stated.

After a report was made to the Port Kaituma Police Station, ranks responded and assisted citizens in searching for the teen. CPR was administered after his body was recovered, but the efforts were unsuccessful.

Fredericks was subsequently transported to the Port Kaituma Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The body of the deceased is at the Port Kaituma Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Investigations are ongoing.