Police chopper rescues man lost in EE bush
(CNS): The RCIPS helicopter, which just a few weeks ago was under threat from budget cuts, was central in the rescue of a famer in East End today. Police said the man had taken a trip into thick bush to find water for his cattle but despite being local to the area in Gun Bay he became disoriented and could not get out. The farmer did, however, take a cell phone and was able to make a 911 call to inform emergency personnel he was lost. The police dispatched the chopper and were able to find the tired and dehydrated man in a matter of minutes and prevented what could easily have been another tragedy.
The rescue took place on Friday afternoon but the incident began around 11 in the morning when the farmer set off into the bush in the Colliers area of Gun Bay. He was looking for well water and despite his local knowledge the man became disorientated in the bush. When he realized he was lost, shortly before 3pm, he called the emergency services .
At that point the RCIPS Air Operations Unit flew to the location. The farmer continued to speak to the emergency operator on his phone, describing his point of entry to the bush and the route he thought he had taken. As a result, the helicopter crew was able to locate him within ten minutes. The man was located on the ironshore around a mile from the main road, but due to the density of the bush he was unable to find his way back to the road.
“The helicopter was unable to land at the location because of the rough terrain,” a police spokesperson said. “However, as this type of situation is one which forms part of the rigorous training the crew undertake, they knew exactly what to do. The pilot brought the helicopter as close to the man as he could. He hovered around 3 feet from the ground while his tactical flight officer donned a safety harness. The TFO assisted the man safely onto the skids and then maneuvered him into the helicopter.”
The man, who was tired and dehydrated, was given water but refused medical attention. He was, however, said to be grateful to the crew for locating him so quickly. Local officers then took him home to his concerned family.
“Had this man not had the foresight to take a cell phone with him it may have been many more hours before he was reported missing,” said Air Operations Commander Steve Fitzgerald. “Luckily he was able to raise the alarm quickly. That, combined with the training of the crew, ensured that he was located within a very short period of time, thus preventing what could have been yet another tragedy in the East End bush.”
Police urged people who venture into the bush to let friends and family know where they are going and when they anticipate coming back. They should always take a cell phone and water with them in case they get into difficulty, the RCIPS spokesperson advised.
Category: Local News
To poster20:26 , that ,s 1 straight that could take a longtime if you don’t have some instrument to help with direction . It’s not a beach walk the terrain, maiden plum cayman ,s version of poison ivy just to name a few obstacles.
And to think Nation Building was more important to Mr Bush than this helicopter which saves lives and provides a deterrent to drug importation/exportation. Since we all know that the Nation Building slush fund has been put to use to secure political support and hence future votes, raw logic drives one to the conclusion that Mac puts getting re-elected ahead of the wellbeing of the nation and the safety of its inhabitants.
Just a small thought here: If the man had a cell phone to call police to be rescued, could he not have simply pulled up a GPS orcompass app to navigate his way out? Or, more simply, just keep walking straight. It's an island after all. Eventually, you're going to hit sand and water, or the road.
Ass not all people are telephone smart as u
Not everyone can afford a smartphone smarta**. That's the point, he had been trying for several hours. I know what, send the RCIPS your details, and they can drop you off and see how long it takes you to get out.
Obviously coming from someone who has no idea what he is talking about and has never set foot in the EE bush.
The man was not "lost" as stated in the article: he just didn't know where he was!
So glad he was rescued, however, and I hope he makes a full recovery.
The man was not "lost" as stated in the article: he just didn't know where he was!
Is that not the same thing?
Hey guys: it was a joke: lighten up, please!
What exactly is the difference?
I think you will find he was 'lost'. Dcitionary definition of lost –
Lost – Unable to find one’s way; not knowing one’s whereabouts
Unable to be found
Okay. The helicopter sale is now off the table.
The Premier must now threaten to disband the RCIPS. That may get the ground officers working.
10:29 you are so right…they threatened to disband the helicopter and all of a sudden "out of the blue" helicopter is being used…how about the RCIPS using their K9 Unit? That should be disbanded also, a waste of our hard earned money…never used.
May be its use is being publicised more?
Great job by the helicopter crew. What is even more re-assuring is that if the person rescued had suffered any medical issues after lift, the crew are now medically trained and equipped to keep him stable en-route to the hospital. This additional capability to save life has got to be a good thing for the people of Cayman.
OK mr bush, talk us through this situation in the context of your proposal to sell the Police helicopter. Had you done so before this incident and the person had died, it would have been interesting to hear what you had to say to the grieving family.
Wow, the chopper certainly seems to be busy lately. Glad the gentleman was found safe and well, another good result RCIPS. I am wondering why the chopper was hovering over GT for much of this afternoon though, police cars all over too, any idea what that was all about? Normally when that happens it turns out to be a robbery or something quite serious.
A fixed wing cheaper aircraft could have accomplished the same thing.
You are clearly delusional, and have no idea what you are talking about.
Shut up or prove your case as to how a fixed wing could of done the same!
Obviously an expert in personnel recovery situations.
Please explain how a fixed wing aircraft could possibly accomplish this task?
What if he had been injured – crash land the fixed wing plane so the rescue parties could use the column of smoke as a location guide – and to hell with the pilot.
"He hovered around 3 feet from the ground while his Tactical Flight Officer donned a safety harness. The TFO assisted the man safely onto the skids and then maneuvered him into the helicopter.”
"A fixed wing cheaper aircraft could have accomplished the same thing."
The same thing being a safe rescue? Perhaps, depending on how dehydrated the man was and how time critical the situation was. The last incident of this sort in East End that I am aware of was not in time to prevent a fatality, despite helicopter assistance. Perhaps your fixed wing aircraft could be specially adapted to drop wreaths?
Truthseeker
What?? How can a fixed wing hover and rescue him? Are you serious or perhaps being sarcastic? I hope sarcastic, as there is no button for that
A fixed wing Harrier of course. Haven't you seen the movie "True Lies"? hahahha
What, hover 3 feet above the ground and pick the man up? Did you actually READ the article?
Even my 2 year old daughter knows that a fixedwing aircraft could not achieve a 3ft hover to lift somebody out of hostile terrain. CNS – you need to replace the much abused troll button with a moron button. The above post would have broken all records for the number of hits!
great job – happy he was found safe and sound…
please ensure the helicopter rescue costs are included in his bill, thanks
If you call an ambulance to your home to goto the hospital, you are given a bill. Is it the same if you call a helicopter?
Exactly; so the same should apply for all emergency services, including helicopter
CUC charges for the light poles when they are smashed…and the helicopter rescue is not cheap so cost should be passed on to consumer
But Caymanians don’t like to pay for anything, everything is supposed to be ‘comped’ by guwerment
And then act dumb when the country is broke!
Thats absolutely right. Let the poor die because they can't afford the cost of emergency services. … Uhm, wait, the question of what society is willing to pay for for each other may need more thought/discussion.