MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 30th November, 2023
At approximately 0645hrs on the morning of Thursday 30 November 2023, the ABDF Coast
Guard received a report from the 911 Operator, informing of an accident which resulted in two
individuals: an adult female and child entering rough waters at Devil’s bridge.
Coast Guard assets responded to the call and after arriving on scene at approximately 7:30 am,
determined that the surging sea condition within the vicinity of the body was unsafe for
navigation and were unable to gain access; therefore, the body, identified as the adult female was
recovered at approx. 8:02 am by members of the Antigua Barbuda Fire Service All Saints Station
and Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.
The asset continued to monitor the environment closely, in good faith of locating the missing
child while a team of rescue divers made preparations to deploy; however, shortly afterwards the
body of the second victim was discovered on a nearby shoreline approx. 200M south of the
initial search area by concerned members of the Willikies community. Members of the
Emergency Medical Services, ABDF Coast Guard and Antigua Barbuda Fire Service thereafter
recovered and relocated the child to a central point, where the district doctor pronounced both
dead at 9:16 am. This unfortunate incident leaves one visibly distraught adult male, as the
survivor of the unforeseen tragedy.
The ABDF takes this time to offer condolences to the extended family, friends and loved ones of
the victims and urges all members of the general public to exercise extreme caution and due
regard for safe practices when engaging in activities in the immediate vicinity of the Maritime
environment.