YouTubers assist in clearing Flat Bridge

YouTubers Claud Watkis and Noel Smith are no strangers to Flat Bridge or the Rio Cobre. The two are often seen in videos on their social media pages swimming, magnet fishing and boating in the 'haunted' waters.

But last Thursday the duo was on a different mission.

After seeing the after-effects of Category 4 Hurricane Beryl that impacted Jamaica last Wednesday, the internet sensations decided to take on the task of clearing the massive debris that inundated the historical St Catherine bridge.

Smith and Watkis said gaining access to the Bog Walk Gorge, popularly called 'river road', proved a challenge, as the authorities had locked the gate leading to the thoroughfare due to fallen trees and rising waters.

The content creators said they had to come up with a clever way to gain entrance.

"No one could pass because the place was flooded but I really wanted to help to clear up the bridge," Watkis told THE STAR.

"We were there for a while and the police came and were wondering why we were there. Afterwards, someone came and opened it to let through a specific set of persons. So both Noel and I came up with a story. We told them that we were going around there to check on families and friends that lived in that area. That was how they let us through."

BIG BLOCKAGE

As the men travelled around the gorge, Watkis said they encountered several obstacles but they were able to manoeuvre their way through with the use of a machete.

"When we got to the bridge I was really shocked to see how blocked it was. The blockage was just big," he said.

"An NWA worker was there and he told us that he had reached out for someone to carry a tractor, but I was determined to help regardless. Noel was doing magnet fishing so I helped with that after which I started to move what I could move little by little. The progress was really slow but I wasn't going to give up."

He continued, "Another passer-by, who was coming from Linstead by the name of Curry Cat, joined in the cleaning up as well. It wasn't easy, I tell you, as the debris pile was huge but I continued. This bridge is very useful to me and probably every other Jamaican."

Watkis said during the clean-up, the workmen from the National Works Agency (NWA) reached the location with a tractor. He said the men thanked them for their services but told them that it was almost impossible for the large rubble to be cleared manually.

"They told us it was a job for the tractor and that we alone couldn't do it. I understood completely but I am happy that we got the chance to just contribute," Watkis said.

"This is our Jamaica and Beryl affected us in one way or another so this was just our way of assisting."