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Hi fellas.
Bit of a strange title for this post, bear with me please,.
on 31 march I was fishing from the rocks at the west end of albufuera beach, for anyone who knows the area, the sea wasnt particularly what we would call rough, more of a big swell. Two local boys about 16 were in the sea about 5 yards away from the rocks, and about 40 yards from the shore. no obvious signs of panic, as I watched them from 10 yards, one began to swim hard, it was at this point I realised they were in an undercurrent, as he was getting nowhere.
I stood and watched in total shock as one of the boys, a black boy, looked at me and simply gave up, sank, and drowned not ten yards from me. his friend began to make a little headway and I scrambled down the rocks as near to the water as I dared. A wave bttered him into a gully near me, I managed to grab him at the third attempt. I held on tho his wrist as hard as I could for what seemed ages, the funny thing was I knew no matter what happenned i couldnt let go.
Then another wave came and sort of washed hom on top of me, I put my arm round his waist and we managed to get clear of the water. He was cut to ribbons and in shock. all he said was my \" my friend\" meaning the boy who drowned.
An angler called the emergency services and the Bomberos came, our paramedic equivalent. trearted the boy and took him away.
There werent, and still arent, any warning flags. but In all honesty no one could have saved the boy.
Within 30 mins there were Marine police, divers, fire crews, a hellicopter, and troops dropped from a frigate searching for the body. to date they have not found him.
I was interviewed by the marine police, three times.marked ariel fotos, and god knows waht else.
I have since met one of the marinepolice, who told me they will not find his body.
The boys school were going on a voyage ( I think he meant cruise) but it has been cancelled, and they have donated the money to the boys family for a funeral.I got the impression they dont have much money. If thety have a service while Im here I will try to attend.
Ive had the backslaps and the hero stuff and more handshakes than I care to remember. but they are strange gestures.
I dont know his name, but I will never forget his face. I dont know who his god is, but I hope he was waiting for him with open arms.
Im sorry if I have made this sound dramatic, that wasnt my intention, I just wanted to try and get my feelings across, and put a lid on it.
TC, I would be eternally grateful if you would top this post as a mark of respect to the boys family.
It could have been any one of us, we all fish seas that have no mercy.
Thank you for reading this post.
Paul Hunter in memory of a boy 31 04 05.
[Editat el 13/4/2005 per Hiram.A.Biff]
[Editat el 13/4/2005 per Hiram.A.Biff]
Bit of a strange title for this post, bear with me please,.
on 31 march I was fishing from the rocks at the west end of albufuera beach, for anyone who knows the area, the sea wasnt particularly what we would call rough, more of a big swell. Two local boys about 16 were in the sea about 5 yards away from the rocks, and about 40 yards from the shore. no obvious signs of panic, as I watched them from 10 yards, one began to swim hard, it was at this point I realised they were in an undercurrent, as he was getting nowhere.
I stood and watched in total shock as one of the boys, a black boy, looked at me and simply gave up, sank, and drowned not ten yards from me. his friend began to make a little headway and I scrambled down the rocks as near to the water as I dared. A wave bttered him into a gully near me, I managed to grab him at the third attempt. I held on tho his wrist as hard as I could for what seemed ages, the funny thing was I knew no matter what happenned i couldnt let go.
Then another wave came and sort of washed hom on top of me, I put my arm round his waist and we managed to get clear of the water. He was cut to ribbons and in shock. all he said was my \" my friend\" meaning the boy who drowned.
An angler called the emergency services and the Bomberos came, our paramedic equivalent. trearted the boy and took him away.
There werent, and still arent, any warning flags. but In all honesty no one could have saved the boy.
Within 30 mins there were Marine police, divers, fire crews, a hellicopter, and troops dropped from a frigate searching for the body. to date they have not found him.
I was interviewed by the marine police, three times.marked ariel fotos, and god knows waht else.
I have since met one of the marinepolice, who told me they will not find his body.
The boys school were going on a voyage ( I think he meant cruise) but it has been cancelled, and they have donated the money to the boys family for a funeral.I got the impression they dont have much money. If thety have a service while Im here I will try to attend.
Ive had the backslaps and the hero stuff and more handshakes than I care to remember. but they are strange gestures.
I dont know his name, but I will never forget his face. I dont know who his god is, but I hope he was waiting for him with open arms.
Im sorry if I have made this sound dramatic, that wasnt my intention, I just wanted to try and get my feelings across, and put a lid on it.
TC, I would be eternally grateful if you would top this post as a mark of respect to the boys family.
It could have been any one of us, we all fish seas that have no mercy.
Thank you for reading this post.
Paul Hunter in memory of a boy 31 04 05.
[Editat el 13/4/2005 per Hiram.A.Biff]
[Editat el 13/4/2005 per Hiram.A.Biff]
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