A Simple Outing Turns Tragic
What began as a moment of family bonding ended in unimaginable loss on Tuesday at the Caymanas Mineral Spa in St Catherine. A six-year-old boy drowned after slipping into the water while sitting with his mother, turning an ordinary day into a lifelong nightmare for those who loved him.
The child, Josiah “Josh” Lewis, a grade-one student, had gone to the spa with his mother and his one-year-old sister. According to his mother, they were seated on concrete steps near the water, talking quietly, when Josh suddenly slipped and fell in. She said he had not yet entered the water that day, making the accident completely unexpected.
A Mother’s Desperate Fight
The moment Josh fell, panic set in. His mother jumped in immediately to save him but quickly realised the water was much deeper than she had anticipated. As she grabbed her son, both of them began to sink.
She later recalled dipping under the water three times while desperately calling out for help, struggling to keep hold of him while fighting to stay afloat herself. The situation unfolded in seconds, with fear and confusion overtaking any sense of control.
Cries for Help and a Frantic Search
Only a small number of people were present at the spa at the time. Eventually, a young man responded to her cries and managed to pull her out of the water. She immediately told him that her son was still inside.
He went back to search but could not find the child. As more people joined the effort, panic spread through the area. Despite the growing number of people searching, Josh was nowhere to be seen.
A Brief Moment of Hope
Sometime later, a woman spotted the child in the water. The same man who had helped the mother went back in and pulled Josh out. By then, the atmosphere was chaotic. People were crying, panicking, and unsure of what to do.
A man attempted CPR on Josh. He vomited water and briefly appeared to show signs of life, raising hope among those watching. Moments later, however, he became unresponsive.
The mother described standing in shock, crying uncontrollably, overwhelmed by fear and disbelief. It was only then that she realised emergency services had not yet been contacted, and she made the call herself.
Living With Guilt and Grief
In the days since the tragedy, the mother has said she has been unable to eat, drink, or sleep. She is consumed by guilt, replaying the moment repeatedly and questioning what more she could have done. While she blames herself, she has also acknowledged that tragic accidents can happen in an instant.
She has called for unity and compassion, saying that blame will not bring her son back, but support may help her survive the grief.
A Family Strained, Then United by Loss
Josh had been raised primarily by his grandmother from infancy due to ongoing family strain. The tragedy has deepened existing pain, but it has also opened the door for reconciliation. Both mother and grandmother have expressed a willingness to mend their relationship in the wake of the loss.
The grandmother, overcome with emotion, described Josh as loving, caring, and exceptionally bright. She said he was her constant companion and even helped her with daily tasks due to her eyesight challenges. He loved running and football and proudly collected gold medals from competitions since infant school. He had placed first in his class and was full of promise.
She shared that she had been planning to buy him a toy truck for his birthday on February 18. He would have turned seven.
A Community in Mourning
The tragedy has rippled beyond the family. Josh’s teacher is reportedly struggling with how to explain his death to classmates, while the driver who regularly transported him to school has been visibly shaken. For those who knew him, his sudden absence feels unreal.
A Painful Reminder About Water Safety
This heartbreaking incident underscores the silent and swift danger water poses to young children, even in places considered safe. Drowning often happens quietly and quickly, leaving little time to react.
As funeral arrangements are being finalised and investigations continue, one reality remains unchanged. A child’s life has been lost, a family has been forever altered, and a mother is living through a nightmare no parent should ever have to endure.