A mother-of-two yesterday told how she heard man-overboard Tyrone Berkeley screaming for help shortly before apparently drowning in water at Dockyard.

Runell Virgil watched from the shore as Mr. Berkeley frantically waved his arms a few hundred yards from dry land after he got into difficulty while out fishing on Monday evening.

Her father-in-law called Police immediately but they were unable to find the victim in the darkness and only discovered his lifeless body on Tuesday afternoon. "I went walking down by the fence and I heard a scream like: 'HELP!' Mrs. Virgil told The Royal Gazette.

"At first, you are wondering what direction it's coming from. I heard it about six times, back to back. I ran forward and you can see some kind of movement.

"The lights were on where I was standing, so I figured he could see me, but I couldn't see him clearly. I couldn't believe it. I thought I was dreaming.

"I had to question myself over and over. It was almost as if you could feel his screams go right through you.

"The wind was carrying the voice right into me. It was as if he was calling out to his mama and shouting out 'help me' at the same time.

"I wish I could have done something. I still can't sleep. That screaming. I feel so sad for the family. I don't know what went wrong. You can't imagine dying in such a way."

Mrs. Virgil, whose home at Prince Alfred Terrace overlooks the water by Cockburn Road, said the incident happened about 9.30 p.m.

The search, involving Marine Police, divers and other officers, continued until the early hours of Tuesday and resumed later that day.

Mr. Berkeley's body was discovered on Tuesday afternoon, in the same spot Mrs. Virgil had seen him.

The victim, 43, from Sandys, is thought to have gone fishing at some point on Monday evening, but his father Howard Berkeley says he usually fished from the rocks rather than in his punt boat.

Mr. Berkeley Sr. describes the situation as mysterious, pointing out his son was nicknamed 'Beaver' because he was such a strong swimmer, while the weather conditions were mild.

Police are investigating and have not ruled out foul play before an autopsy is completed. Anyone with information should call officers on 295-0011.