A Jamaican taxi driver has been accused of raping a 12-year-old girl and then burying her alive after he thought he had strangled her to death, authorities said on Wednesday.

Garsha Wilson faces charges including rape, abduction, attempted murder and cruelty to a child, Deputy Police Superintendent Herfa Beckford said.

Wilson abducted the girl last month at a bus station in the capital, Kingston, then took her to a house in nearby St Andrew parish where he raped her and choked her until she was unconscious, Superintendent Beckford said.

Thinking she was dead, he buried her in a shallow grave and covered it with rocks, Superintendent Beckford said. The girl, who reported the alleged crime, told police she regained consciousness and dug herself out.

Wilson was detained on March 25 but was not charged until Monday.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. His lawyer was scheduled to be in court all day Wednesday and was not available for comment, his secretary said.

Jamaican authorities say the abduction of girls has increased recently and blame taxi drivers for most cases, saying they often take advantage of female passengers travelling to rural, isolated areas. They warn women not to travel alone if possible.

AP