It was like a heart-stopping scene from an action movie when rival gunmen travelling in motor cars traded bullets in Clarendon yesterday.

Reports from the police are that they intercepted the two vehicles along the Hayes main road after receiving reports that shots were being fired.

The driver of one of the vehicles, a Toyota Yaris, lost control and crashed.

One of the occupants died, while another was held by the police. Two handguns were also taken from the vehicles.

"Lawd, this mawnin' mi believe dat it was police and gunmen in a gun battle. The two men with M16 just firing shots. Is afta di crash dat we realised dat a criminal dem," a female onlooker at the Lionel Town Hospital said.

Her amazement at the incident was not unique.

"The gunmen have no respect for life as, if you check, you realise that several schools are along the road," said resident Marvin Black.

Another team of police personnel continued to pursue the other car, a Toyota Altis.

It was intercepted at Cockpit district, along the Salt River road, where the occupants engaged the police in a shoot-out before running into nearby bushes.

They abandoned the car, along with an M16 rifle with live rounds.

Up to press time, police and soldiers were still scouring bushes in search of the criminals.

Operation officer for Clarendon, Deputy Superintendent Patrick Murdock, praised the police for their quick response.

"Although I am not on the ground, I have been keeping in touch with the happenings and I am very proud of the operation," Murdock said.

The identity of the dead man has not been revealed. The police were also interrogating one of their own in relation to the incident.