I was about 10 years old, when a young man by the name of Dalton Weeks, who resided in Rose Place, which is also knows as Bottom Town, a suburb in the capital Kingstown, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; unknowingly did, what is termed, in today's psychological world as: an Intervention. Dalton was always in trouble with the law, and most of the time, he came up on the losing end, of his struggle, to be a law abiding citizen.
As a result, he often found himself, locked away, behind the bars in the local prison. However, one day Dalton Weeks did a little act, that positively impacted the life of many of the youths of Bottom Town, including my life. Although he frequently got into trouble he was loved by all.
One summer day, school was on summer break and the children of Bottom Town were out of school. My friends and I had done all of the fun things that was there to do. It was still morning, and although we had a long day ahead of us, we were out of ideas and activities. We were just sitting around; in an unfinished wooden cargo vessel doing nothing. This Cargo Vessel was being built on the bay-side, close to the Baisden's residence.
While we were there, Dalton came into an unfinished vessel carrying two bird guns, and he took it upon himself, to teach us how to safely use the gun and how to shoot and hit targets. In this case the targets were small empty tin cans. Strangely many years later when I became a police officer, and was going through weapon training and target practice, using the M-16-A1 rifle. I discovered that the science of shooting, Dalton Weeks taught us as children, so many years ago; was the same science that was being taught in the police training school.
The next day Dalton took us on a little hike in the castle area. We were out in the wooded or forested area, doing military crawls, which strangely Dalton knew by name. This was the best vacation I ever had. As kids, we always looked forward to summer and desperately hoped, Dalton will not be locked up; because we looked forward to summer with Dalton.
I recognized the value of what Dalton Weeks give to me as a child and I wanted to ensure that as many youths were exposed to the same thing. As a result, I organized Adventurers Hikers: a hiking program. This was a program that took Vincentian children on hiking expeditions along the many hiking trail in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. On a regular, I did weekend hikes with selected group of children from my neighborhood: Bottom Town, my friend’s children, my kids and my sister’s kids. However, I had daily hikes in the summer.
This was the beginning of the summer and the official beginning of the daily Adventurer Hiking program for the year. We began with an easy hike and every hike after that became more challenging, required more determination, and much more stamina. We had a good relationship with First FM, which was managed by Bernard Joseph (B.J).
Each day Bernard Joseph give us the privilege to go on air live, on First FM, from out hiking destination. In this show, the hikers were interviewed by B.J as to the day activates, the challenges, what was learnt etc. This was a hit with the radio listening audience; especially, the parents of the hikers who turned into the station to hear their child name and voice on one of the most popular radio station.
Bernard Joseph, First FM and the Adventurers hikers created a first in radio history in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Bernard Joseph facilitating the hiking program, give us the opportunity of being the first to have ever do a live broadcast from La Souffriere, the remote Volcano, high in the dense mountain of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
It was the second day of the hike; on this day, I took the hikers on a slightly harder hike than the day before. I took them to Castle and Bath. Castle and Bath is that vast area of land that is below the southern cliff of Fort Charlotte; which is perched up high, on the top of the mountain that is due west of the capital Kingstown, on the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The large forested area at the base of the heugh, which descends from the historic structure; you finds Bath and Castle; the abandon location of a leper hospital, a leper colony and the primitive system that was set up, for the patients of the leper hospital; to cleanse them selves. These structures have deteriorated over the years and the unforgiving elements the make up nature played a significant role. The harsh weather, the sea blast, the constant beating of the wave against the rocks and the high winds etc. this area is constantly exposed to, all contributed equally to the process.
It was important that the hikers followed the instructions when they were given. It was in their ability to follow instruction that prevented accident and ensure that everyone was safe. There were many youths on this trip and the more people one has to manage only increase the changes of accidents. Added to the danger the area presents, which consisted of gravel on the rocks and loose rocks that looked like firm ground, which had the potential to make walking difficult; increased the potential of an accident.
It was the appearance of danger that make this place a hit with the kids. After being told of how dangerous this palace was, getting a view of the place and an understanding of the risk one take when they did not follow the instructions given; results in the a generally compliance with and to the instructions.
No one wanted to be that person who fell off the cliff and for the most part all the hikers followed the instructions that was given. However, if the children follow my instruction the place pose the same amount of chances of an accident as a play ground. The big difference was; here, the price was higher. I have taken many kids to that place many times before, but those were children who knew how to follow instructions; they did as they were told and they complied with instructions given.
On the hike was a twelve years old young man by the name of Kevin John; also known as Bram-Bram, he was a simple young man, easy to get along with. Bram-Bram is the son of one of my childhood friend Dale John. Bram Bram’s father: Eddie was also my very good friend and one of my mentors as a youth growing up. So it was always a privilege to have him on the hike. He was a courageous youth who was comfortable in his own skin. Also on the Hike was Delano and his sister they were my closest neighbors.
Like most children Delano’s age, he had a tendency to look for attention, of his peers. One of the way such people find attention is to rebel against authority and I was the authority on the hike. When my back turn and I was not paying attention to Delano; he did his own thing, going contrary to my instruction.
We were all sitting chatting after the kids got an opportunity to go somewhat into the bath area, Delano became, dissatisfied with his seat and he decided to move from his spot on the rock, once again going contrary to my instructions. He was walking dangerously close to the edge of the cliff; in order to show the other hikers how brave he was. Ignoring the fifty feet drop either in the rough water or on the sharped rocks below; depending on your location on the base above.
I warned participants to stay away from the edge because the rocks closer to the edge were loose and may give away under the feet and cause a serious accident. We were deep into the bushes, the only way out was a long walk up hill, along a two feet track, with razor grass on both end of the track. We were a far cry from medical help if there was a serious accident. I made the situation clear to the hikers, before we left for the hike, I reinforced it again before we began the descent and I make it clear to them again, when we arrived at our destination.
All this was explained to the participants, most of the participants understood the consequence of an accident and they all took caution to ensure they were not a victim of an accident. Delano seeing the caution of the other hikers, used it as a tool to make a name for him as the only one who was not afraid and his constant moving from position to position persisted even after continual caution from me and the other hikers.
We were all sitting around safe enjoying the view as I explained to them the man made features of the Bath and how and why it was used. while I answered any question, the hikers had.
It was then I notice Delano once again, got up from his seat on the rock, while he was in the process of changing position once again, the young man stepped on some gravel, which rolled from beneath his feet, causing him to suddenly slip and fall. Delano was unable to stop himself from slipping uncontrollable down the short incline before he fell from the cliff. Unfortunately, the place where Delano fell was about fifty feet drop from the top to the sharp unforgiving rocks that waited beneath to received him or anything that fell from above.
When I saw what was happening, there were no time for panic or even emotions, I knew exactly what had to be done. As a result, I immediately rushed over to where the accident was still in the process of taking place, but I was too far away to prevent Delano from falling, from the safety of the top of the cliff; even with my best efforts. My heart move within me at the thought of the outcome of what was about to happened right before my eyes.
How was I going to explain to Delano’s parents who trusted me with their two children, that he had an accident under my supervision and care. I cringed even at that thought. Another thought that popped into my head was: how was this accident going to psychologically affect the other members of the hiking party. The purpose of the program was to help the youths develop strong bodies and mind, not to destroy these young mind with such trauma, of the graphic experience that was being played out in full view of all; an event that had no positive end that I could see.
I was still rushing to the immediate area where by this time Delano was in a free fall, he was about to have an unplanned meeting with the waiting rocks beneath. I foresee a broken back, head trauma, broken limbs. I could not see this child surviving this fall. Mentally I was prepared for the worst.
Just then; without warning and out of the thin air, A miracle happened. I saw a black, long, skinny hand popped out of no where. It went out and caught hold of Delano’s right arm in the area of the wrist. There were no sound of amazement, no cheers, no applauds only the whistle of the wind and the smashing sounds of angry wave, beating against the rocks that gives the indication of its willingness; to wash away all evidence of the tragic accident that was moments away from happening. Nature did not stop her centuries old routine to sympathized with the dangerous scenario that was being played out in her presence.
This unexpected intervention immediately halted Delano’s fall. Now Delano was swinging in the air bouncing off the rock face. At least for the mean time, his fall was delayed but he was still dangling in the air, and the sharp rocks beneath, patiently awaited his arrival. The dangling young boy was not safe. By this time the other hikers were all on their feet, bathing in helplessness, quietly and in shock, as they tried to get a view of the terrible scene that was being unfold before them.
It was the hand of an angel, that interceded and cut short the fall of the falling kid. At this time, I saw Bram-Bram, spread out on the rock like a crab, in a 110 degree angle. He was using his left hand and his left foot to grip into the rocks, which was on the safe part of the base, while his right foot, which was on the incline, barely hang on to a small stone, that was sticking out of the cliff face; that look as if it was about to break loose from the weight that it was suddenly asked to carry.
Bram-Bram tightly held the wrist of the falling victim and was struggling with the weight of Delano who without words, but with the fear in his eyes looking up at Bram-Bram and with his facial expression which was covered with fear, begged the skinny young man not to let go of his grip on his arm.
Bram-Bram was found in a position he did not asked or bargained for. His own safety was at risk, yet he refused to release the grip he had on Delano. Bram-Bram was not strong enough, to hoist Delano to safety; and I was not sure, how much longer Bram-Bram could maintain his hold on Delano, before his grip broke from the excessive weight the youth was carrying; while in such an awkward position; or before he lose his hold upon the rock, in which case, will only result in both youths, plunging helplessly and smashing on to the rock beneath. This new dynamic drastically changed the complexion of the situation. Instead of an accident involving one child, the situation have now escalate into a case where the accident may now involved two children.
I was still in the process of rushing to the immediate scene where the dangerous fall and the dramatic save were being made. When I got there, I quickly climbed down to where I can take hold of Delano’s hand and I did just that relieving Bram-Bram of the heavy weight he was carrying; the weight of Delano, who was probable heaver then Bram-Bram was. I then pulled Delano to safety.
The moments immediately after the incident, everyone was extremely quiet. Even I could not believe the dramatic scene that had just played out before our eyes. A scene that put on public display a valiant demonstration of quick thinking, sharp reflexive, and the mustering of unknown strength from an unassuming hero. We were all witnessed to a scene that is often seen dramatized in a Hollywood block buster movie. Such scenes are filmed in a controlled environment, with stunts men, protective gears, and all of the precaution to ensure the safety of actors, stuntmen and film crew.
But on that day, we all got to see hero in the flesh in action, we were all privilege to have witnessed, an emergence of courage from Bram-Bram's in full actions.
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