By Jairo Rodrigues
in St Cuthbert’s Mission
Tragedy was averted on Sunday when two persons were pulled out of the Mahaica River at St Cuthbert’s Mission during the ‘Wash Down’ celebration of the Heritage Festival, one of them in an unconscious state.
It would have been close to midday when it was noticed that two young women appeared to be experiencing difficulties, a little upriver from the celebration area. Quick action from Aaron Dundas and Jaden Samuels saw a boat being taken out to where they were. Dundas, pulled one of the women into the boat, while the other, who had been assisting her, swam to shore.
A few hours later, at approximately 14:45 hrs, a man whose name was given as Ziggy Gonputh, suspected to be intoxicated, decided to take a plunge in the river. When he failed to surface, persons rushed to his rescue and he was pulled from the water unconscious.
A crowd gathered, but no one seemed to know just what to do. Fortunately, an off-duty nurse was at the festivities and she quickly took charge, positioning his body for the water to flow out. She then requested the help of able-bodied men, who fetched the still not conscious Gonputh away from the beach.
After a while, he was seen taking shallow breaths and the nurse elevated his head while advising relatives to take him for medical attention.
When last seen, Gonputh was taking short erratic breaths and nodding his head in response to his relatives’ questions.
Onlookers, seemingly untouched, went back to drinking and partying.
Ununiformed police were present at the event and a police vehicle was parked right across from where the accident took place, but no ranks were seen rendering any assistance.
There may be a lack of first-responders and essential services, but heroes are abundant in St Cuthbert’s Mission.
