Barbuda Mourns Teenager's Drowning

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Thursday, 12 April 2012 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua St John's - Residents of Barbuda are mourning the loss of an 18 year old who drowned on Tuesday.

The incident happened at Grave Mollanding near Spanish Point, on the southern end of the island, while the teen was camping, a customary tradition over the Easter weekend.

The police said Kelton Jules was among a group of young men who decided to go spear-fishing. Jules was reportedly not known to be a strong swimmer, and decided to turn back about 150 feet out. On the way back, however, he became even more tired and one of his friends had to help him.

When the friend also grew tired, they reportedly stuck a spear into the sand and used it as a resting stop. After a while, Jules continued his swim back to shore, while the other young man dove underwater to retrieve the spear.

When the friend resurfaced, he did not see Jules. The teen's body was later fished from the sea.

The drowning has sparked shock and grief in the close-knit Barbuda community.

Jules’ body was taken to Antigua for a post mortem examination.

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