Evening swim at Fort James turns fatal for 50-year-old Skerritts Pasture man; police investigate suspected drowning

Police investigations are continuing into what is believed to be a drowning at Fort James Beach on Wednesday night, April 6.

Reports say that 50-year-old Wendel Joseph of Skerritts Pasture and a female friend went for a swim at the popular beach at around 6:30 p.m. 

As they were about to leave, it is alleged that Joseph returned to the water, where it is believed he encountered difficulties and disappeared.  Reports say his companion immediately sought assistance in finding him from a passerby.

Joseph’s body was later found, floating face down, and was pulled ashore.

Efforts were made to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at about 9:05 p.m. by a medical doctor.