Helicopter makes seaside landing to rescue surfers
(CNS): Two surfers were rescued by the police helicopter this afternoon after getting into trouble in the ocean off South Sound cemetery. Police said that at around 5:40 on Tuesday evening the emergency services received a call from the surfers who were struggling in rough seas. The Marine Unit was informed and the police helicopter which was airborne at the time, responded to the location. As a result of the circumstances the air unit made the decision to land on the Cay, rescue the surfers from there and transport them to the nearest landing site which was the South Sound Rugby Club. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
The police said that the man and a woman both in distress were rapidly spotted by the helicopter once it was dispatched to the location and despite the ocean conditions both eventually made it to the Cay. Police said that the rough seas and shallow water surrounding the Cay as well as the approaching darkness would have made a sea rescue highly improbable.
“The decision was made by the police helicopter crew to carry out a rescue before weather conditions deteriorated further to become life threatening which involved landing on the Cay and transporting the two individuals one at a time to the nearest available landing site which was the South Sound rugby club,” a police spokesperson explained.
“The police marine unit and uniformed officers secured the rugby field for a safe landing and assessment of the rescued persons. Neither person received any injuries. The rescue was conducted swiftly without incident.”
Police are now warning people not to go out to sea until conditions improve.
“Those who do so despite this warning not only put their own lives at risk but also those of their rescuers,” the police stated.
Category: Local News
Epic tale of nothing. careless people causing the police to spend money that we simply can not afford A bill should be prepared for surfers to pay the operational cost of helo as was done to local friend of mine who had a vehicle stolen from his compound.These werent obviously locals because they would no better and would get no bill either.
So the helicopter does have it's use! Yay.
One-Side Police Comment:
Quote: Police are now warning people not to go out to sea until conditions improve.
“Those who do so despite this warning not only put their own lives at risk but also those of their rescuers,” the police stated. End Quote.
That sounds like a knee-jerk reaction. You don't hear the cops tell everyone to stop driving just because a few people crash their cars. Nor do they require jet ski drivers to be licensed, when they are regularly crashing into people and causing serious injury.
There are many many people who know how to deal with rough sea conditions as a part of their regular sport of choice; and are very experienced in dealing with waves and currents. Just because two people got themselves in a tangle does not mean everyone should be warned against entering the ocean. Everyone without proper experience should be warned against entering the ocean, just like bad driversshould not be allowed to drive. Statistically that would keep a lot more people safe (pedestrians and drivers alike).
the real hero's are the team of quick thinking individuals who called RCPS when they noticed they were in trouble. Christopher Frodo Gregory was on the scene and made the call I believe. Well done.
It has been discussed before and the question continues to linger – are those people that are in need of being rescued due to their own stupidity made to pick up the tap for the rescue mission????
If not, it is past time to start this, the country is broke and we can not bail out people who have no consideration for anyone else. I am for one is sick and tired that the public has to pick up the cost for some people who fail to apply common sense!
your day will come
I don't disagree with you, but using that same logic we should start charging all of the obese people on this island for healthcare if they continue to stuff their faces with Fosters Hot Bar.
I doubt those surfers (who probably have excellent fitness) will develop heart disease and diabetes in the next 50 years.
Again I am not saying they shouldn't pay, but if they are required to, then so should a lot of other people doing stupid things to their bodies.
Stupid people looking for thrills. I agree, they shouldpay for the helicopter, pilot and other rescue cost plus the cost of whatever damage may have been to the rugby field.
Sounds like you could use a few thrills yourself.
It's a helicopter, not a road digger! There is no damage to the rugby pitch, other than that created by the tackling of a prop forward on match day
Excellent job by the chopper crew who appear to have had to work swiftly in the fading light. Can't understand why people are out in the rough seas particularly when there's only 30 minutes of daylight left? Death wish?
oh me tweet… thank you PPM for the expensive helicopter that kills me with noise on the weekends and weekdays, and loves flying over my wife when she has on her swimsuit. At least you used 1% of your time constructively… here's your brownie treat
Maybe they thought they spotted a beached whale and were doing a flyby to make sure?
You appear to be the sort of loser that complains of the noise an ambulance or fire engine makes on it's way to an emergency. Thumbs down says it all.
Some people say PPM used all of its time "constructively" – roads, schools, buildings….
WOW, does that mean we now have a helicopter that can actually land on land?
Well done to the RCIPS helicopter team, yet further lives saved in what is being put out as a routine job. Credit to you people,thank you for your exceptional work. Everyone seemed to question why we needed the helicopter last year, can we really manage without it now?
A) Yes we could
B) The 'lack' of 'emergency rescue capabilities' in the specifications for the helicopter was one of the complaints levelled against its purchase in the first place. That it can be used for some rescues no more makes it 'fit for that purpose' than my car to be used as a police car just because it can be driven and you could slap some lights on it.
c) Credit to the crew for a successfull rescue and for getting the most out of their equipment. The above should take nothing from the Police Service. it is in reference only to the comment on the helicopter's 'necessity'.