A 13-year veteran of the Royal Bahama Police Force lost his life during a routine firearms training exercise in waters off Goodman?s Bay Wednesday, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Hulan Hanna confirmed to the Bahama Journal on Wednesday.

Corporal 2543 Desmond Burrows, who was attached to the Criminal Records Office of the police force, died in that tragedy and at least four more of his colleagues were rushed to hospital.

The officers were in a group of approximately 30 police officers and police reserves training in waist deep water when some of them fell into a sinkhole, according to Mr. Hanna.

Mr. Hanna said the officers? colleagues scrambled to assist them and administered first aid. The five officers were transported to the Princess Margaret Hospital for medical treatment. However, Burrows was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The exact cause of death was yet to be determined, Mr. Hanna said, adding that the investigation into the incident was continuing.

Mr. Hanna said from all indications, the other officers taken to hospital will likely make full recoveries.

Mr. Hanna said police are treating the matter as an accident and he extended sympathies to the family of the deceased officer on behalf of Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson and the Royal Bahamas Police Force.