A 16-year-old boy has tragically died in a horrific shark attack while swimming near a popular tourist destination in Jamaica.
Jahmari Reid, a high school student, had ventured out on a solo spearfishing trip near Montego Bay when the unthinkable happened.
The teenager was reported missing on Monday, prompting a frantic search. Divers later discovered his body off the coast, with his head reportedly bitten off and his left arm missing.
Shocked onlookers gathered around the shoreline as Jahmari’s mutilated remains were brought ashore on Tuesday.
Jahmari’s devastated father, Michael Reid, was present on the beach when the grim discovery was made.
He said: “I can’t believe that he went to sea by himself and that was the outcome. Sad to know. I feel so bad.”
Before the tragic incident, Michael had cautioned his son about the dangers of spearfishing alone.
Fisherman Christopher Reynolds, who was also on the beach with the grieving father, mentioned that divers had spotted a massive tiger shark in the water.
He said: “All of the fisherman went out there and, while they were diving to take him up, they saw the big shark. They shot at him but they didn’t get him.”
This tragic event marks the fourth recorded fatal shark attack in Jamaica, according to the International Shark Attack File.
Fritz Christie, the president of Falmouth Fisherfolks Benevolent Society, said: “What we have to do is make certain when the ships come, to be careful of the diving.
“The shark eat off the man’s head, eat off one of his hand [sic]. It’s crazy, man.”