Pedro bluff claims 2nd victim
(CNS): The RCIPS confirmed this evening that a second young man has been killed jumping off the cliffs into the rough ocean waters in the Pedro area. A police spokesperson said that the youngster jumped off the bluff in almost the exact spot where Justin Henry was killed last week. The air support and marine units were deployed shortly after the alarm was raised that the 21-year-old man was in difficulty late Sunday afternoon at around 4:30pm. However, despite their best efforts to get to the young man in time, police pulled his body out of the water at around 5:37pm.
Category: Local News
It's unfortunate that our young men are loosing their lives so tragically. Just reading the news today, I realize that there are more persons wanting to prove this theory wrong as they've gone "jumping again".
This in itself is a slap in the face to the parents who have lost their loved ones. They're just wanting to prove that "this can be done". Similarly to speeding & drunk driving, it kills, but we still have persons driving fast and drunk. When will our youngsters take heed. The next generation of Caymanians is fast filling the graveyards, and parents are grieving un-necessarily.
Persons are becoming offended when reference is being made to these young men being stupid. It may be an offensive comment, but you speak it as you see it – "shear stupidity'. Every action has an re-action, whether negative or positive. You choose. Whatever the outcome – good or bad you or your family lives with the consequences for the rest of your lives.
Wake up, grow up, and start doing positive things to enhance the behaviour and growth of country and others.
Sad!! I don't know if it is bravado, duppies or dares that leads this to happen, but our young people are too precious for this!
Perhaps they dont value life enough.
Perhaps they play too many video games where they can 'buy' another life or restart the game.
Perhaps they have little hope for the future, andare depressed.
Perhaps the 'thrill seeking" generation of extreme sports, Jackass and drugs just takes "living on the edge" to a new level.
Perhaps they are too short-sighted adn dont see the thrill of getting a good education, excelling in live and raising a family.
Perhaps their dads didnt hug them enough and teach them how to be young men with goals.
Perhaps they are trying to impress their peers
Perhaps it is a continuation of the evil spirit which has been claiming young people here for decades using various means (drugs/cars/gangs/sex etc).
Perhaps it is a combination of all the above…
Regardless… Let's love and cherish them, and lead them in a Godly, positive life.
Them they will make their own life decisions …
Half of you hear how really IGNORANT you sound up on this site calling Adam a stupid Caymanian. Have you no consideration that the grieving family is following the news and have to see your degrading remarks????? It was not exactly the smartest thing for him to do considering what happened just a few days earlier but to call him a stupid Caymanian is just down right rude and out of order.
Agreed – plus, everyone seems to be assuming that Adam "jumped". Weird that he still had his backpack, mobile phone and watch on? My heart goes out to his family.
XXXX We chat for more than 45 minutes because of the number of business that I had to do with the XXXX. I was so impressed with you and how you handled my affairs which led me to pick up a Comment Card so that I could write about you and your impeccable service. During our conversation I recall sayingto you "Look how Satan call Justin outa im house, fi go kill im upa Pedro cliff". As I write this I am looking at your face and how you responded with a smile. " That's not nothing Mam, we do it all the time". This respond floored me as I did not know that XXXX was a Pedro jumper. Very upset, I said to XXXX, "You jump the cliff too? and why"? XXXX responded, "We do it just for fun". I then told XXXX, it is a dangerouse"fun" and asked him " why would you really want to do this"? Once again he said "It is fun Mam, I did it three times". Again, this boy shocked the daylight out of me. I went a little bit further and asked him without even knowing who is mother was "Does your mother know that you be jumping over at Pedro"? He looked up at me and said a firm "NOOO". I personally told XXXX that there must be other "fun" here to do and that is a fun that should be left alone.
To Mommy, I know there is nothing that I could say to comfort you. But, if this will be of any comfort, you raised a very decent and respectable son called XXXX who never ever wanted you to know that he was jumping the cliff. When I heard of his demise on Sunday, please just imagine how I felt. I started to relay the conversation I had with XXXX to my children. My 34 yr. old son shook me up further by saying. "Mommy is something we all do, but now that I am older, I will never do it again because of my last experience". I asked him how many times he jumped the cliff and he said 3 times. The last experience was with a friend who nearly died. Luckily he was there to assist him and they never went back. My 32 yr. old daughter told me that she used to jump it too but will not reccommend it because it is very dangerous. My plea to all you young people, please stay away from the cliffs. My body ache just to learn that 2 of my kids used to jump the cliff. I can just imagine the pain if I had to bury them for jumping that cliff. Young people before you get into your cars and drive to Pedro to jump for fun, just think about the endless pain you will be putting your parents, families and friends through. XXXX, may you rest in peace in the arms of Jesus.
To 23:19
A rip current doe ssweep you out to sea in a narrow channel of extremely stong current which can drag u up to 8 ft per second however it does not take you under” making it impossible to swim” because there is no proper training of these safety procedures in cayman what is little known is that it is Possible to get away from a rip current by swimming parallelto beach until you can escape the rip current or by treading water while it pulls you out until it becomes weak and then swim in parallel! Trying to directly fight a rip current is not done by the coast gaurd or the lifegaurds and is a sure way to drown but please make sure you know what your talking about before trying to educate others with your opinion instead of the facts!!
Thanks!
Why is everyone talking about sealing off the area and putting gaurds there? Do we forget that these cliffs stretch from beach bay to spotts are you proposing that we fence off this several miles of cliff and gaurd it at all times? Like i said a better idea is to make a proper event out of it with fire rescue and the police on hand to pull them out of the water! Proceeds go to charity! After a while the idea and excitement will wear off sounds like alot but costs less than a life!
WHy is it the Government is call on in times of stupid acts of people. Government's in general are worthless. People must be respossible for the own stupid acts . Sorry to say but I am sure whoever takes a chance for whatever reason to jump off this clift must know the dangers . Just being bad or a dare . Well we now see the results of being macho.
If Pedro cliff jumping were to become illegal, so should Driving, Drinking, Skydiving, Bicycling or jogging in Cayman (cause that's pretty dangerous)… basically anything you do as it all poses risks. It seems so selfish and silly to see how one can think of making something illegal because of unfortunate events.
Obviously the kids didn't understand the topography nor the power of the ocean… Or even what the weather conditions were like. On the correct day, jumping can be safe. It's about being educated and taking precautions. What should happen is:
1.) Warnings placed around.
2.) A ladder or some means of getting out of the water for those who choose to. (for easier/safer method up?)
3.) A buoy or flotation device out in the ocean (Dive Buoy?) (as suggested earlier.)
The buoys might help in some circumstances but the rip currents in that are are very strong and many times people will be pulled under rather than swept away which renders it impossible to swim. Pedro bluff and all the way down to Spotts can become very dangerous.
The rips pull you Under? Really?
So very, very sad, and such a needless death. My heart goes out to his family, especially his Mother.
Government must place warning signs at that area, prohibiting or warning swimmers to not jump from Pedro bluff as you can also smash yourself on the rocks faces, with this warnings it would warn swimmers of the currents that are the most dangerous and are extremely strong at the portion as usually, it tends to takeyou out to sea as waves hits the face of the rocks.
Also, there are little chances that you can make back depending on the time of the day, swimming against this same current can be very stressful, them to fight the waves back to the cliff base to them to try to get a good grip unto those rocks full of very sharp edges and spine stars sea creatures that if you step on it the pain are excruciating, well, not a very good idea and people must be warned about those circumstances.
Again, these rocks have very sharp edges at the base due to the pounding of the waves making it more difficult to get a grip and to climb them back up, with these same waves pounding you from left, right and behind it's very easy to get yourself cut all over and over again, so fatigue, fear and depending of the temperature of the water, these elements may cause you to get tired very fast and you will most certainly will drawn at that spot.
Sadly, these families won’t have a nice new year beginning, but a terrible memory of 2012 and from such beautiful place that cliffs are, they will always be remembered as a very painful place to go and just to imagine what these kids went thru when swimming on that portion of the ocean will be awful.
A few years back, I made an experiment and I throw a coconut over the cliff and I timed it to see how long it would take to travel from the bottom of the cliff out to sea and to my shocking surprise it took less them 2 minutes to be out of my site, well, it made me imagine myself falling into the water and fear took over me as I saw that coconut going out so fast with the strong current.
My heart goes to theses families and God be with them in these difficult moments making them strong to cope with such terrible losses and circumstances, this is a time of sorrow to all of us.
If anyone from the government reads my message, please make arrangements to get warning signs on those cliffs and to insure the safety of our community and visitors alike.
perhaps dwayne and mark should take note of your comment and finally speak to bodden towners
just dont jump, no need for buoys, if it rough dont jump simple as that.
This is so scary. It is hard to believe that this young man wound do this so soon after the death of the first young man. I am a mother of a19 year old boy and I feel sometimes that he has no fear. Whenever he leaves the house, I try to remember to tell him to be careful. I hope that when he gets with his friends and they want to do daring and stupid things, he will remember my last words to him. However, as hard as we try with our children, they will continue to make wrong decisions and ultimately get into dangerous situations. Let's pray for our youngsters, and hope that the grace of God will deter them from their own foolish ideas.
My heart goes out to this young man's family. Although I don't know you, I will remember you in my prayers. May his soul rest in peace!
Sadly enough it was Einstein I believe that said its an idiot who tries the same thing over and over and expects a different result. (McKeeva please take note)
I can only hope and pray all the kids thinking about BEATING this place take note of the won loss record.
That's now two young lives thrown away and for what.
Dred you know what I can't understand is how it went from our days as youngsters where you simply would NOT consider jumping from there to today. How did we get to it being "cool" to jump from there? i remember going there to fish, but to jump? NEVER!!!!!
Heartfelt condolences to the family. My! it is so sad to see the young lives that are being taken in such a careless way – jumping off the rocks at Pedro Castle. My appeal is that government have these areas monitored with special security guards so that these young people cannot enter the property. They seem not to know the dangers of Spotts Dock, and Pedro Castle and to know how many persons that have lost their lives many many years ago in these same areas. The sport has become dangerous, that it is mind boggling, an should not be entertained in the Cayman Islands. Government should place restrictions, and if not adhered to, find other ways and means with stiff penalities to their actions.
Government can't just spend money at every whim and fancy of the people. A warning sign at the spot is good enough. It is not in every case the government should be saddled with protecting people from themselves. If this was the case thee ould be no end to our financial woes. God endows man with 5 senses and fear is to protect us from dangers. If we ignore dangers for whatever reason then we cannot be heard to be complaining that Government should employ security guards to warn us of dangerous currents. The money got to come from somewhere and that means higher tax for you and me.
It's not bravado it's foolishness. Look at the video on Cayman27.com.ky why would someone even dare to jump from this cliff especially when the water is rough? Do they think they can fly? Come on now let's get serious, this was less than 1 week after the 16 year old lost his life what are people even doing out there especially on New Year's Day. I feel for his mother, I can imagine her anger and heartache and worst of all who is there to be angry at besides this young man. For all young people reading this please respect your life and respect the danger of jumping from the cliff. Not only is it foolish it's an expensive price to lose your life for a split second thrill.
Cordon off the area, put warning signs and memorials also testimonies from the family members need to be placed out at Pedro Cliff because obviously these people are just harden or they don't care. I agree that signs and all that won't stop everyone from jumping if they really want to but it would serve as a reminder that the cliff is not only beautiful but it's dangerous and has no respect for human life. Whatever happened to just looking? Why do they want to jump? What do they get from jumping? These 2 young men can't explan but I'd like for anyone who's jumped from the cliff to please tell us all what you got out of it and if you would do it again after the 2 tragedies. I bet not. Jumping from the cliff was foolish point blank but especially less than 1 week after the other young man died that was just down right inconsiderate then make it worse jumping from the cliff when the water is rough was suicidal. Maybe they should put a sign saying the due fish will get ya… Afterall everybody scared of the due fish. *just saying
Lemmings
HOW SAD!! Another parents are grieving. Can the Government restrict this area entirely and have patrols guards it. The place is not haunted. Nosuch thing exist – It is just dangerous.
There is nothing anyone can do to prevent these things from happenin, I think enough WARNINGS has gone out in the last few months, It seems these youths want to be in the news headlines am realy Sorry for the parent s as they are the ones who realy suffer
I dont not feel sorry for him this youngster, He knew what happened a week earlier and yet he still jumped. Whoever jumps off Pedro and something happens its your own fault. You decided your own fate. Befre you jump just think about all the pain you will put your family and friends through if something happens.
Just a VERY stupid choice he made. My thoughts go out to his family.
Signed
Common Sense!
Really? I mean – REALLY???
I found it so ironic that another site shows a picyure of an officer jumping from the same cliff to get down to the Ocean, I guess it was not macho to swim from the safety of the Marine boat in the background? I wonder who sanctioned this "necessary" act of bravery. No wonder the kids are jumping, the Officers are getting headlines for doing it. So sad to see what kind of examples are being set by officials?
Wonder who would be responsible if the officer is injured or killed?
He had to jump in, in order to reach his dive gear on the boat!!! Learn the facts first before judging!!
Hmmmm!…..If it was your child in the water and you had a trained police rescue diver on tne shore to assist, you would have wanted him to go into the water. Simple as that. This circumstance is exactly what they are trained for. The fading sunlight meant that all marine assests that were on scene assisted in trying to recover the persons on each day that these unfortunate events occured.
There is no easy answer to this problem. If they want to jump they will jump.
I think the placement of 2 life ring rings with 100ft of rope on the bluff would be benificial in the event of this happening again,it would provide a floatation device if needed by someone in the water. A permanant bouy in the area would be susceptible to being torn away by the rough seas and current inthe area which is prevailant in that area.
My heart goes out to the families of these 2 young boys………
I think if people are so intent to jump off Pedro they should make a proper vent out of
It like a fundraiser for charity with the rescue boats on scene
As they jump to collect them in the boat! Of course not in this weather though!
That would be a way to get there energy out in a much safer and controlled situation!
Why was this area not sealed off to cliff jumpers after the events of last week? Especially during a holiday weekend there could have been security there. The way things are dealt with on this island is a joke sometimes. The regular car accidents, the tourists drowning and now this. Yes, people do stupid things but it's up to the authorities to try to deal with things. Perhaps a few life guards in tourist areas, the roping off/barbed wire around the Pedro cliff area, quicker response times from the emergency services, a police car on the highway fining anyone who overtakes or drives dangerously on that road. Nothing is ever done and the same things happen over and over again for years on end.
This really surprised me after the recent tragedy at the same location. Everyone knows the danger at this location and no doubt this boy was with someone who can explain how and why they were there.
People want to put up signs, fences, a security guard and a buoy offshore but young people will continue this activity without education. A really sad thought is that these young people may have been attracted to this behavior by the recent death.
I am really sorry, every parent needs to talk with their children about the dangers of this.
This is what I have to say. The government need to prohibit any swimming at all off Pedro Bluff. The darn place is full of ghost and bad spirits. For over 200 years there has been nothing but scary stories to be told about that place. From the days of slavery some very frightening tales have been told. I even heard stories that slaves were buried alive at that place, and also the floor of the Castle kitchen is a big mystery.
There is a cave that is to the east of the castle that is said to hold the lives of many slaves who was burried alive.
Anyone who go to that place in the night alone as a hang out or lovers spot is begging for trouble. So many caymanian fisher men have disappeared from that place that it will make your head spin. Gone without a trace. The place is haunted and spirits are alive out there. Look what happened the other day to the young lady missing GONE WITHOUT A TRACE Stay away from Pedro Bluff.
So very sad. If we cant stop the kids jumping here altogether maybe a flag system might work better. They use them on beaches all over the world when conditions are too rough for swimmers to get in the water. That place is very decieving. It may look ok from up top but when you are trying to get back on the cliff its a whole different matter. Condolences to the family of the young man.
Hurry! Please grab your kids and hug them,tell you love them. I can't believe what I am reading. This is so insane!
Is it that some of the young ones in Cayman are hurting so bad that they absolutely have no regard for life anymore, not thinking straight and just killing themselves off?
My condolences goes out to the parents and families of all these young ones that have lost their lives in the last few days.
No excuse for stupid judgement like this. None.
WTF……
Why would they want to jump off by Pedro Castle. That place is haunted, it even looks haunted! I understand these youngsters!
oh please… i heard the same things like stories where fishermen in their boats at night time, would pass by the pedro castle cliff, hearing from the cliff rocks, the voices of men and women… thats pure romance and superstition, my friend
How do you know? The place seems haunted to me.
Maybe you should take a boat, go there at night by yourself, sail right next to the cliff and confirm for us if the place is haunted or not. Or, better yet go skinny dipping, just you and rubber ducky! If you want to be more daring, go there more than one night… come back and tell us the tale
I am very sorry for his family, for anyone that loved and cared for him. I am very sorry for their sorrow and grief.
I cannot understand the young man though. He jumped. Willingly. He jumped when a 16 year old had just lost his life and his family are grieving beyond words. What a terrible price to pay for bravado.
Willingly? I wonder…
This is so sad. I live just down the coast from this spot, and for the second time in a week I watched with a heavy heart as the rescue crews worked. I think that abstinence is the best policy, especially with a strong wind and large swells, but as that may not work, I think that we should have a few buoys about 20 – 60 feet off shore to which someone in trouble can swim and hold on. One of the problems is that the swimmers try to swim back into shore and get battered on the rocks. It should not cost that much to put a buoy in that area. Also, as it takes a while for rescue crews to reach any swimmer. The buoys would provide a possible life line.
You are so right my friend and prevention is better than cure… because, we for one know that these young people is not going to take heed…they are going to continue jumping because they don't listen to anyone these days! So putting up the few buoys really will make sense at least it will help save a life!
I like this idea. The cost will be insignificant. I for one would be happy to make a contribution towards it’s cost and my guess is that the service clubs will offer their help as well.
Or people could stop jumping from the cliff.
Real Talk
You made good points but with that area being open water, the possibilities of putting a buoy there probably would not work as the water there is VERY deep. I do feel though that at the entrance a very high gate with barbed wire @ the top should be placed, something to discourage and prohibit persons trying to access the area. My heart goes out to the family, friends (especially those who witnessed this) and others close to him as they are grieving.
Bad idea as it will make more people to jump!! It is the strong currents pull these people underwater at the bottom of the cliff.
You made good points but with that area being open water, the possibilities of putting a buoy there probably would not work as the water there is VERY deep. I do feel though that at the entrance a very high gate with barbed wire @ the top should be placed, something to discourage and prohibit persons trying to access the area. My heart goes out to the family, friends (especially those who witnessed this) and others close to him as they grieve.
Actually, you are wrong about that. The area right off of Pedro is only about 40-50 ft deep and there are already several mooring buoysout there as it stands now.
i did some research and you are somewhat right. A fisherman actually stated it is only about 20ft deep. so there should be no problem placing buoys. However, it is still open water and the currents are still VERY strong. Kids will be kids and we all once believed "that could never happen to me" and because of this I feel a very tall fence should be placed at the entrance as there is a road that leads up to the cliff.
The best, most sensible posting I have ever read on CNN.
I will donate the first 100 kyd to the cost of putting one in.
If anyone else wants to donate please mention it on this site.
CNN can you please assist with the holding of donations?
I will work on any approval that is required from DOE or Port Authority.
Unfortunately, providing such bouys might encourage more to jump in the first place.
Excellent suggestion
Great suggestion. Lets hope its acted upon soon.
Excellent idea. I was just saying to my grandson yesterday that even if they tied a rope around their waist or had on a life vest or something it would surely help since it is evident that you won't be able to prevent people from jumping.
I agree with this idea 100%, I also live close by the Pedro area,…#R.I.P
Let us criminalise the whole practice and not encourage them any more by placing buoys or anything else. They do this because it is dangerous. To many resoruces are being wasted and I would hate any of the rescuers to be put in danger for this type of stupidity.