Rushing Waters Leave Tears

There were tears of sadness and despair that flooded the faces of several community members in August Town, where young Kyle Richards attended Hope Valley Experimental School.

Jamaica was experiencing some turbulent weather in the third week of September - three days of heavy rains and strong winds tormented the island. Particularly, on Wednesday, September 25, the rains got heavier, lightning struck closer and viciously meanwhile, the winds got stronger.

Some jumped for joy as the dry and hot conditions suffered in the summer left many without water to perform their tasks. The nights were insufferable and this change in weather was welcomed. They could now breathe easy as the coolness was refreshing and covers could be drawn at nights.

However, the country, in its 'prime age of renovations and road constructions' was being beaten, the roads were being flooded, some even broke away and trees were being battered. Gullies were jam packed with garbage and this proved tedious for persons who had to traverse the road ways.

Gully in August Town is filled with debris.

How could Jamaicans survive this weather while going about their daily activities, which would normally be seamless under dry conditions?

It is the culture of children to parade around the roads in the rain after school, some even dared to walk bare-footed not minding the many diseases they might pick up on their feet. They just walked around in groups, laughing and reflecting on the day's activities on their journey home.

On his way home in the afternoon around three o clock, nine-year-old Kyle Richards was one of several people who were crossing a bridge near Hermitage, in the heavy rains. An adult whom he was travelling with, once on the other side, realized that Kyle did not make it across.

Nine-year-old Kyle Richards who got washed away by flood waters on Wednesday, September 25 in August Town.

Frantically, an alarm was raised and a search began for the little boy, who was washed away by the swift current.

Government officials, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation along with members of the community have been searching for the boy since the incident (three days). But there has been no sign.

The mother appeared on TVJ news, in the papers crying and appealing that no resources are wasted in the search for her little boy. Unfortunately, yesterday night a statement was made that today (Saturday, September 28) would be the last day that a search could be facilitated. It seems they were giving up on finding little Kyle.

People were speculating that as a result of careless parenting and adult supervision, Kyle was lost at sea. During heavy rains, it is typical of parents or guardians to forbid their child from leaving school unless they are in the care of a responsible adult. The majority of the time, the teachers and parents would agree that the child should remain indoors until the rain has subsided. This case was different as the adult was accompanying the child but lost sight on the way over the bridge. Why was the adult not gripping the child and guiding him across?

Many questions are being asked but one thing is for certain, young Kyle is lost. Hopefully, the body can be found to bring slight comfort to the mother. Hopefully, this can be a lesson for the parent and other parents to watch their children in this rainy weather. The cliché saying says "The children are our future" and we have to take care of them.

Councillor Venesha Phillips echoed the mother's sentiments that no resources should be wasted to find Kyle Richards.

Days later, Kyle was found in Harbour View, St. Andrew on Sunday, September 29. Heart-wrenching but a sigh of relief for the family. Now, they will have a burial.