By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are searching for a 19-year-old American man who was swept into rough seas while in the area of the Queen’s Bath, south of the Glass Window Bridge in Eleuthera yesterday morning.

The incident occurred shortly after 7am when the American and another man were at Queen’s Bath when a wave struck them and swept them into the sea.

One of the men was able to hold on to a rock and managed to pull himself to safety but the young American was swept away. The US Coast Guard and members of the public were assisting with the search.

During the course of the search, a police offer received minor injuries for which he was examined at a local clinic and later discharged.

The incident came after officials warned the public about crossing the bridge, saying on Sunday it was closed due to high sea surges.

The closure left residents stranded between the north and south parts of the island on Monday. A man who was injured on Sunday after being swept off the bridge and landing on rocks below was airlifted to a hospital in New Providence yesterday.

There was also severe flooding where up to five feet of water was reported in Rainbow Bay and James Cistern. Giant sinkholes in the road have been reported.

“The island is cut in half and water is flowing from the Atlantic into the Caribbean Sea at Daddy Joe’s in Gregory Town,” a resident of Eleuthera told The Tribune.

Police have closed the bridge and have asked residents to stay away from the area. People attempting to cross the bridge posted a video on social media of the path being swallowed up by a huge wave.

A high-pressure system that moved in The Bahamas on Sunday caused high winds and generated dangerous surf in Eleuthera.

The Tribune attempted to contact Chief Supt Steven Adderley and Island Administrator Gilbert Kemp but was told that both men were out all day assessing the situation on the island.

Area MP Ricky Mackey described the incident as one of the worst he has seen in a long time. “Whatever you have to do on the other side can wait, your life is more important than attempting to cross the bridge,” he urged residents on the island.

There were reports that some six visitors were ignoring warnings and were in the water surfing in rough conditions near the bridge.

Meanwhile in Abaco yesterday police were investigating an apparent drowning at a local resort.

Asst Supt Terecita Pinder reported that shortly before 11am on Sunday police were called to a resort in Marsh Harbour where the body of a Caucasian male had been pulled from the water.

EMS personnel responded and examined the victim but there were no signs of life. The identity of the deceased has not been released.

ASP Pinder said foul play is not suspected and police are investigating the incident.

The stormy seas also affected New Providence where several cruise ships were unable to dock in Nassau yesterday due to winds and rough surf.

Private yachts and cargo vessels were also unable to depart port due to swells.

The weather system will continue to generate rough swells for next two to three days.