WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is currently assisting with the search for the body of Paul Norris, who is suspected to have drowned after saving his companion at a hotel in Negril on Sunday.

The marine police, who had been searching since Sunday, were joined by their JDF counterpart on Wednesday. However, with the search entering its sixth day on Friday, Zone Four Commander in charge of Little London and Negril Police District, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shaunjaye Mitchell told Observer Online that at some point, an active search may come to an end. However, until then, the active search continues.

“The marine police were out there again today. The JDF divers were out there yesterday. They dived and did a scrape of the ocean floor in that business vicinity. They expanded the search area and nothing came up. So, we still haven’t found him but at some stage, we will have to make a decision as to whether or not we call off an active search and then do a periodic search. But as it is now, we continue with the search operations,” stated DSP Mitchell.

Norris and his common-law spouse had been staying at a hotel located on the West End in Negril when they reportedly went to a bar on the property when the incident took place.

Police reports are that at about 10:20 am, Norris and his common-law spouse were at a bar near the cliffs overlooking the sea, taking pictures when a strong wave knocked the woman into the sea. Norris reportedly jumped into the water to assist her but was swept away by strong currents.

READ: Man drowns at Negril hotel after saving companion

The manager of Hotel Samsara, Nestor Absera, called the marine police before jumping into the rough waters and assisted the woman with the help of the marine police, who arrived shortly after.

– Anthony Lewis