Neezuin, Rivercess County – Grief has engulfed the quiet town of Neezuin in Rivercess County following the tragic drowning of a father and his young son in the Doe River early Thursday morning.
The victims have been identified as 43-year-old Emmanuel Jacob, Sr. and his two-year-old son, Emmanuel Jacob, Jr. The incident occurred around 8:00 a.m. as the pair attempted to cross the swollen river using an old, submerged log bridge that had deteriorated significantly over time.
According to eyewitness accounts, the father and son were en route to their farm when they slipped off the unstable log structure and were swept away by the strong current. Heavy rainfall in the area over the past few days had caused the river to overflow, creating dangerous conditions for crossing.
Residents said the makeshift bridge had long been a concern, but despite repeated warnings, some locals continued to use it out of necessity. In this tragic instance, those warnings went unheeded.
Shortly after the incident, the lifeless body of little Emmanuel Jr. was discovered downstream. As of press time, the body of Emmanuel Sr. has not yet been found, and a community-led search is ongoing to locate his remains.
The tragic event has sent shockwaves through Neezuin and surrounding communities. Many residents have expressed heartbreak over the loss and renewed calls for improved infrastructure in the area to prevent such disasters.
“We are mourning with the family,” said one local elder. “This should never have happened. That bridge is a death trap and needs to be replaced.”
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police has launched an investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the drowning.
Local authorities are also urging residents to exercise extreme caution when crossing rivers, especially during the rainy season when water levels are high and currents become unpredictable.
As the search for the elder Jacob continues, this developing story will be updated with any new information.
