Tragedy at Hellshire: Woman Succumbs, Cop and Child Feared Drowned

A young woman who was pulled from the sea during a tragic incident at a Hellshire beach in Portmore, St Catherine, has died, as search efforts continue for a policeman and a teenage boy believed to have drowned.

The deceased has been identified as 24-year-old Alia Dawkins, who passed away at the Spanish Town Hospital on Thursday, the same day the incident occurred.

Police say the two individuals still unaccounted for are Constable Shamar Grant, attached to the St Catherine South Police Division, and 12-year-old Aaron Russell of Waterford, Portmore.

According to reports, at about 3:00 p.m. on January 1, 2025, Dawkins and the child were swimming at Sand Hills Beach in Hellshire when they encountered difficulties in the water. Constable Grant reportedly entered the sea in an attempt to rescue them but also ran into trouble and is now feared drowned.

Dawkins was eventually rescued and rushed to hospital, where she was admitted for treatment. Despite medical efforts, she later succumbed to her injuries.

The Hellshire Police have launched an investigation into the incident as search operations continue for the missing policeman and child.