Students rescued by marine cop at Pedro
(CNS): Updated with full story – Police have confirmed earlier reports that three men have been rescued after jumping from the bluff at Pedro Castle on Saturday afternoon. Police said the two students from St Matthews University were lucky to be alive after getting into difficulty in the sea. At about 1:20pm today police received the report that three men had jumped from the cliffs. One of the men was able to make his way back to shore but because of the strong swell and prevailing weather conditions the other two got into difficulty and were unable to get back safely. The alarm was raised and the RCIPS helicopter and Marine craft Tornado were deployed.
In the meantime, Marine Unit officer Mark Luke drove to the location with life vests. On arrival the officer assessed the situation and, despite the bad weather and sea conditions, decided to jump into the water with the vests to render assistance until the arrival of the Tornado. PC Luke remained in the water with the two men for around 40 minutes until his colleagues arrived.
All three were then assisted into the Tornado and brought to shore and the police report that they are all safe and well. Superintendent Kurt Walton, who has portfolio responsibility for the RCIPS Marine and Air units, praised the actions of his officers, particularly PC Luke.
"This afternoon's incident could have ended tragically if it had not been for the actions of PC Luke and his colleagues," he said. "I take this opportunity to remind people that if they plan to use the water they must take the weather and sea conditions into account. They must also have all the necessary equipment and have a means of raising the alarm if necessary.
"Finally, they should always keep in the back of their mind that if they do take risks, others, whether they be police or civilians, may have to put their own lives on the line to help," Walton added.
Category: Local News
Dumb knows no nationality. Challenging the power of the sea without being properly prepared for the specific conditions is dumb – whether it's jumping from Pedro cliffs or taking a small boat outside the reef in bad weather.
Posting signs as a warning is smart but dumb people will ignore signs. Making it illegal is dumb. Who will sit there to monitor and enforce it? Oh, Police? Don't they have enough on their hands already?
Charging dumb people for the cost of public funds expended because of their stupidity is smart. That might be more effective.
About twenty years ago a dumbass transmitted a fake SOS call, (claimed to be lost at sea while sitting drunk in his living room in George Town) and a USCG C130 was mobilized from Pensacola. After searching for the best part of two days, it was discovered that the call was a hoax. Dumbass was charged, successfully prosecuted and had to pay back the cost of the CG search – about $30k back in those days. Think he did that again?
So, the 'transient' medical students who are not paying any taxes here should be charged for the cost of this rescue which comes out of public coffers. Smart. Will that happen? No. Dumb.
This is the proper responce to this foolishness. I'm glad someone could come out and be the voice of reason. You don't have to go overboard, making laws when a few people do a dumb thing, it should be those foolish individuals who pay.
Thanks PC Luke for your bravery & that of your colleagues – I am one former co-worker who appreciates what you do. You did it again! GOD bless you!
To those people who are taking risks – look at the situation and try to get some advice before putting others into danger with you!! Maybe a lifeguard or some security measures have to be placed there.
Does anyone see any Caymanians jumping off Pedro bluff into the sea ?
No !
Why ?
Because the local people that those waters on that side of the island are the most dangerous waters around the Cayman Islands because of the strong undertow currents and rough seas that prevail over there.
Its highly irresponsible and selfish for people to do dangerous, life threatening things just for thrills and their own enjoyment without considering the cost to others in terms of risk of life and financial cost of bailing them out of trouble; if they're lucky, that is.
The CIG should pass a law making it illegal for any further jumping into the sea at that location.
That would avoid all further problems and issues.
agreed
but it's the exact same as the caymanians who have had to rescued recently from thier boats because they went out in bad weather…
I back you 100%!
I think a warning should suffice: "Do not attempt unless experienced in swimming in rough waters. Strong currents beneath the surface are present at the site".
I've done it, back in 2008, and the sea conditions were actually worse (as per the picture). Oh, and I was more chubby (read as fat) than nowadays!
Why should an experienced swimmer be deterred from having the joy of facing those strong, marvellous waters?
Restrictive laws of course work is stopping things, but also make our world less colourful and limit personal freedom.
To those who think they know all the facts, what really happened was one person used the poor judgement to jump, and when he realized he was in trouble and called for help, one person stayed on land to direct emergency personnel, while the other person jumped in, ONLY after help was requested. Unless you live a perfect life, please do not judge others.
Well… shouldn't it be explained properly to the press….. what else is new…. figured it still had to be some 'poor judgement' crazy one in all of this though….
Your'e accounting is bad….. you are only accounting for 2 people who jumped in….. why and how did a third person end up in the water…. ?
…….the rescuer???
I hope u never do my taxes!!!!
So your reading skills are bad too or this reporting is really MESSED up….
The report said 'three men jumped from the cliff' but in your comment you did not specify about 2 already in the water and a rescuer jumped in you said 1 jumped(the dumb-ass), 1 stayed on land to get help then rescuer jumped…. you do that math….
How could you possibly know anything about taxes…. lol
Will these students be made to cover the cost of their rescue?
To those above using the word "stupidity," allow me to make a correction: Stupid is when you know the difference between right and wrong and still make the wrong decision. I know these kids personally, and they are smart, compassionate students. If you don't know the full story, I would reserve you own judgments. If I were there, I probably would have jumped too, as I know a few that have done it, as well as blogs stating this is a tourist attraction. Warning signs need to be put up, despite the "flattened concrete slab that has been laid on the cliff" at the jump site. You have to make a mistake to learn from it; I am grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ for watching over them, and thankful to the rescue team and PC Luke for being there at the right time.
If J.C. thought they should not jump He would have stopped them.
Well…… can you or someone explain in detail then WHY it is justified that they jumped so that people who find it INSANE to do can justify whether they should make 'stupid' comments….
thanks..
LJC? What about thanking PCML, SKW and crew that risked their lives and equip?
I hope these guys who jumped off the cliff into the ocean are not studying to be brain surgeons!
A sign simply saying, "Dangerous currents, don't be the next fool to drown here," might help. I watched a group of people standing on the same cliff edge just after Hurricane Ivan, well inside the spray pattern. They were almost knocked down by a freak wave.
Just after Hurricane Michelle, a photographer was washed out to sea at Dolphin Point. Obviously he didn't realize that waves come in sets. A Caymanian, I believe from the Fire Service, though I might be wrong about that, rushed to the North Coast to retrieve his wave-runner. This man braved the monstrous waves, putting his own life very seriously at risk. He rounded Northwest Point to rescue the man, who had been warned to swim out to sea to avoid being smashed onto the ironshore. Nothing was ever reported, but this true hero should have received the highest award for bravery. Had he died, so would the photographer.
My point is simple: those who play around with the sea should realize that lives, other than their own, are being put at risk.
Every year we hear about people jumping from or getting washed off the cliff at this location.
What will it take to get a sign there?
Rather than spending $200 on a simple sign, the CI Govt probably spent $20,000 on this rescue.
Come on people!!!
That's right blame it on CIG rather than on the idiot who jumped.
I guess everyone has forgotten that a young man lost his life jumping off the Pedro Cliff years ago. There should be no swimming and no jumping signs put up out there, it looks easier than it is because of strong currents and slippery sharp rocks.
Kuddos to the rescue team. Those students pulled a really stupid stunt. I hope that they are never MY doctors.
Oh come on guys…..we're all human and none of us go through life making perfect judgments. We've all done things that in retrospect, were'nt that smart. But that doesn't make us incapable. There is a difference between a stupid decision and being stupid.
Hopefully this gives them a better appreciation for life.
nice work 285!
Actually, it's 185, but yes, EXCELLENT work…and to the poster of the letter mentioning the officer who rode on the wave runner and rescued the photographer, he was a Police officer, and yes, he was given an award for bravery…and do you know what he is doing now??? Washing windows because the upper eschelons of the RCIPS thought we he had outlived his usefulness and pushed him out of the service….think about that the next time you wonder where all the good officers have gone…
Moral of that story; one good job doesn’t make a career. You have to work every day not just occasionally
Well done to Officer Luke and the other officers involved. You’re on a roll, make it a career and finish strong!
An excellent police man and an excellent member of our society. I've always liked Mark as a friend and he is a dedicated work colleague that always has your back and is always ready to get his hands dirty. Bravo 185.
glad they are all safe.
however they AND ALL OTHERS need to be taught a lesson.
for their stupidty the should have to PAY ALL COSTS FOR THEIR RESCUE.
Good job PC Luke; you are truly deserving of a hero's medal for your bravery and quick thinking.
Proud of PC LUKE; but its not the first time he’s done a hero’s work and not rewarded. He’s always a great officer
Pc luke was always the greatest! its not the first time hero deal for him;go speak to his wife n kids. Only jealous co-workers will try put him down