September 21, 2025
PORTLAND, Jamaica – A teenager died in a suspected drowning at Bikini Beach in Port Antonio, Portland on Sunday.
The deceased has been identified as Vijay Popley, of New Road in Port Antonio, who was an upper sixth form student at Titchfield High School in the town.
Observer Online understands that about 11:15 am, Popley was among a group of eight students from the institution to visit the beach.
They were all engaged in swimming activities when Popley went missing.
One of the students reported the matter to the Port Antonio Marine Police Station. The Port Antonio Fire Station was also informed, and a team of firefighters arrived and joined in a search for the missing boy along with local fishermen.
About 1:35 pm, Popley was found unresponsive by the search team. He was transported to the Port Antonio Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The body was removed to a funeral home for a post-mortem examination.
– Everard Owen