Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

Port Antonio, Portland:

The driver of a Toyota Hiace minibus drowned yesterday after the vehicle ran off the main road at White Rock in Buff Bay, Portland, and plunged into the nearby sea.

Three men who were travelling in the vehicle were rushed to the Annotto Bay Hospital and were admitted in critical condition.

Constabulary Communication Network liaison officer for the parish, Corporal Dwayne Campbell, said the vehicle was travelling in a westerly direction toward Annotto Bay when the accident occurred.

"The three men managed to escape with assistance from residents," he said. "The driver was, however, trapped inside. It is not yet known what may have caused the accident, but investigations are still being carried out."

The driver has been identified as Dwayne Menzie, a 25-year-old Digicel employee of Dela Vega City, Spanish Town, St. Catherine.

The injured men, also Digicel employees, are Kevin Beckford, 32, of Norman Gardens, Kingston; Michael Hunter, 43, of Thompson Pen, Spanish Town; and Michael Levy, 28, of Scarlett Road, Spanish Town.

After the accident, hundreds of persons converged on the scene and, more than three hours later, the vehicle was pulled from the water by a crane crew.