More bad news, unfortunately... Jet Ski Accident

Though someone posted the hotel earlier in this thread, we were at the opposite end (past Margaritaville) at Christmas and we had them buzzing by nonstop. Very few tourists, rather, the operators were buzzing right along the swim markers. At times they were not even watching ahead of themselves, rather, they were watching the beach. We commented at that time how close they were to the buoys.
Moral of my post- use extreme caution when swimming outside of the markers, even by a little bit. This is a terribly sad story with a terribly sad ending.... And many tragic happenings throughout (filming, no police, no ambulance).
Just sad.......

Looks like the video has been removed, good

So sad.....so sad. My heart goes out to the wife and family. So glad they removed the video....sick people. If I was there I think I would gave that person taking the video...............a I dunno. Something that's for sure.

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Originally Posted by Flipadelphia26

The driver of the jetski is in custody.

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He turned himself in. He's a young fella that made a very terrible mistake and now the repercussions are bigger then any of us could ever imagine.

My heart goes out to the family. I certainly don't condone filming the video or posting it on you tube, but I did watch it. It shows the wonderful people doing the best they knew how to try to save him, and it shows two policemen looking on and then leaving. The newspaper report stated the police did not arrive until sometime later. The video proves that to be incorrect. Regardless of how distasteful and morally questionable the filming and posting was, it provides indisputable evidence of what occurred - that police were there and apparently not trained to handle the situation. In the right hands, that could be a catalyst for positive change.

One newspaper article states the Maritime Authority is legally responsible to ensure all watercraft is registered and safe practices are followed (something to that effect). I wonder if that will be put to the test now?

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Originally Posted by Jamerican71

He turned himself in. He's a young fella that made a very terrible mistake and now the repercussions are bigger then any of us could ever imagine.

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Psalm 129

Prayer:

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord hear my voice. Let Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand it? For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord. My soul has relied on His word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy; and with Him plentiful redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

R.I.P.

Thank You Sheba

MY condolences to the family....It was only a matter of time til this trajedy happened-i'm so sorry for the poor soul ...

Folks you need to remember-You may stay in a 4-5 star hotel/ai ..but Jam. is still a 3rd world country-..I dont know where the ambulance was-or if it was even working ....and as far as i know the people who operate it are not EMT's...Sav hospital is far off from the avg hospital in the states(as far as care, recources, professional help,medications equipment)....and it certaily does not have a trauma center..

I'm not tryng to dussuade people from going -but you need to the know the facts... ..THats why i cant recommend enough that people get GOOD travel insurance that will med-evac you out of MBJ to Mia... also ,make sure to get the # of the private ambulance company that will take you to Mobay (the ambulance in negril will not take you there -ONLY SAV-and you really dont want to got there if you can avoid it) also good to have an emergency of cash (few hunderd) for the ambulance ride -they dont take credit cards..

I wish more tourist orientated boards would educate people about the realities of medical care available to tourists..Its something important to many people..Just saying that there's an ambualnce in negril and nearby hospital in Sav and not giving more details to the type of facility and service one can expect or not expect is a disservice ...

What is the name/number of the private ambulance company?

My friend told me about ambucare-there located allover the island-but are not stationed in Negril…none--the less they are more what you expect a professional ambulance to be and their website says they take debit/credit cards..

You can email them and ask about response times to negril and costs…..heres their website www.ambucareja.com and their mobay # 876-953-2938
I would hope someone who lives there would know what private ambulance is used most and would respond to your question…

I wanted to be clear that I was in no way curious about the name of the hotel to lay any blame on that property owner. I wanted to picture in my mind where this happened. I have read several statements made to the media over the past few months from hotel owners saying that it was going to take serious injury for both horses and jet skis to be better regulated on the beach. The hotel owners were clearly concerned. i am just so very sad that it came to this.

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Originally Posted by Melody

My heart goes out to the family. I certainly don't condone filming the video or posting it on you tube, but I did watch it. It shows the wonderful people doing the best they knew how to try to save him, and it shows two policemen looking on and then leaving. The newspaper report stated the police did not arrive until sometime later. The video proves that to be incorrect. Regardless of how distasteful and morally questionable the filming and posting was, it provides indisputable evidence of what occurred - that police were there and apparently not trained to handle the situation. In the right hands, that could be a catalyst for positive change.

One newspaper article states the Maritime Authority is legally responsible to ensure all watercraft is registered and safe practices are followed (something to that effect). I wonder if that will be put to the test now?

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The article states, "According to hoteliers, there was no ambulance available to take the tourist to the hospital and the police took a long time to respond to the incident."


http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=50776


The video just proves that they were there doing nothing, not how long it took for them to get there. Just standing there like spectators and walking away from the crowd while others work hard to resuscitate the deceased. I guess the police don't know anything about CPR or crowd control.

Even-though, that video is disrespectful to the victim and his family, it speaks volumes on how unprepared Negril is for these types of emergencies. As per hoteliers, in a Jamaican newspaper; no ambulance, police late in arriving, and we all know there is no hospital in the immediate area--closest one is approximately 45 min to 1 hour away, minimum.

Glad that business owners are starting to speak up and to the press, as government inaction might be affecting their bottom line when things like this happen. It's a about the $$$.

Buy insurance and keep the private ambulance number handy, just in case. If all else fails - call your trusty, neighborhood charter taxi to take you to a Mobay hospital.

Ya Man!

The man was left untreated for several minutes before CPR was started. Those doing CPR thought this contributed to his death... no initial life saving efforts. Also tried to get people to elevate his feet but got no help w/ that. No medical attention on top of that. Cannot believe some fool uploaded this on YouTube. The man's youngest child (12 y.o.) had not yet been told what happened. This was not entertainment, people. This was someone's life.

As I often say, common sense is UNcommon. This is for the YouTube poster. Applies to the jet ski rider as well.

This is awful . Where was he swimming . What distance from shore?

This is a good reason to stop starting threads about where one can find the cheapest jet skis to rent in Negril, and/or anywhere else on the island. A good reason to pass the word around for others NOT to encourage the use of jet skis on this forum, and other sources on the internet. This is a good time to get rid of these menacing water crafts that are not only dangerous, but also contribute in helping destroy our beautiful coral reefs. This was an accident and a very unfortunate one. However, it could have been prevented for those seeking resources for, "things-to-do" in Jamaica that are safe and ultimately personally rewarding.

We extend our heart felt condolences to the family who lost their loved one.

I bought 2 bright orange float mattress'es so hopefully will be very visible when I'm in the water.

mi was actually right at Travelers right before it happened.....
can't remember the last time sumthin like this happened either.....
pretty sad mon......when mi snorkeling mi always have one eye above da wata too

Cool Runnings, Marko

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Originally Posted by juls

instead of prohibiting it altogether, cant they put up safety buoys....so everyone stays in their own area..Being a snorkeler...I am thinking of ways to NOT get hit now...carry a tube... or some other float-able that would make me easier to see..any thoughts?

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There are buoys that they are supposed to ride beyond. Those big red ones. But no one does. I was almost hit by a jet ski and I was in the swimming area just a few yards from the beach (this was less than a year ago). Also saw on of the operators (not someone renting a jet ski) ride right through the roped off swim area at Yellow Bird just minutes after some small children were playing there. I went to the hotelier and told him I wanted to take to the police. He said he’d take care of it. Before I got back to my friends on the beach the number of jet skis were greatly reduced. And those that were still there were now riding outside the buoys. Hummmmm? How did they know a complaint was being made and the police were being called? Of course, the police didn’t show up until the next day. (Anyone surprised by that?) When I wrote a trip report I said “Nothing is going to be done until someone is seriously injured or killed.” Sorry this had to come to pass but it was just a matter of time. My sympathy goes out to his friends and family.

Juls they make a little floating dive/snorkel Buoy that attaches to your wrist that marks where you are and has minimal drag..... Just an FYI...

I doubt that the will see the buoy your attached to if they can't even see someone bobbing in the water.

awesome...I will find it..thanks so much!!

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Originally Posted by suzengrace

and as far as i know the people who operate it are not EMT's...Sav hospital is far off from the avg hospital in the states(as far as care, recources, professional help,medications equipment)....and it certaily does not have a trauma center.....also ,make sure to get the # of the private ambulance company that will take you to Mobay (the ambulance in negril will not take you there -ONLY SAV-and you really dont want to got there if you can avoid it) also good to have an emergency of cash (few hunderd) for the ambulance ride -they dont take credit cards..

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Sorry I missed this post, but to correct some of the misinformation being posted in this thread - here is a part of what I posted back in July of 2013:

"The nearest hospitals are in Sav about a 25 minute drive away, not an hour and a half. Royal Medical probably has the best facilities and are privately run. But they do cost more than the government run public hospital in Sav. The public hospital also has emergency room services that have treated many a friend of mine when they were in a critical accident.

Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay is the one that is 1 and half hours away. They have the best facilities on the western end of the island.

Recently a person fell off the cliffs between Rockhouse and 3 Dives and ended up near the bottom by the sea. The ambulance was there in minutes and the doctor on call originally suggested taking them immediately to Sav for emergency treatment since it was the closest facility. But since they were conscious when the emergency workers got down to them, after speaking directly to the person by cellphone, the doctor asked them a series of questions and determined that they were in good enough condition to head to the Cornwall Hospital in MoBay.

After two days of MRI's and cat-scans and finding no serious damage, they were bandaged up and sent on a plane back home. They were extremely lucky as they had fallen some 25 feet. But the professionalism of the emergency crew and doctor on call made all the difference for them. I witnessed the entire series of events and the Negril rumor mill was in such fast action that by the time I walked back to 3 Dives (about a minute away), it had already been announced that the person had died. So much for the rumor mill... "

So this is coming from a first hand, eyewitnessed perspective, no guessing or speculation required. I know the ambulance has fully trained EMTs and is fully stocked with necessary emergency equipment. I was behind the ambulance and had full view of their equipment as the EMT by the ambulance spoke directly to the doctor on call. They will take you to the hospital that the emergency doctor on call that the EMTs are talking with decide is the best choice since time is a critical factor.

Sav hospital does have an emergency room and is equipped to handle life threatening emergencies. This too I have witnessed first hand when friend was in a motorcycle accident. The services are as one would expect in nearly any rural hospital anywhere. Sav is the capital of Westmoreland but it is far from what anyone would call a "big city" so you cannot expect big city hospital type services.

Also, being a developing country, Jamaica is constantly improving the state of its medical care. The recent donations in December by the NIH Project being the latest in those improvements.

To spread rumor and speculation as well as guesses as fact is a disservice....

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Originally Posted by Rob

To spread rumor and speculation as well as guesses as fact is a disservice....

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Completely agree and it is also a disservice if anyone belittles, downplays or otherwise whitewashes any serious incident like an accident, a robbery or any other safety issue that could possibly forewarn a visitor and help them take precautions to prevent the same thing from happening to them.

Kylake,

Exactly! We always want our visitors to have the best time possible, that is why this site was created almost 20 years ago now. And for that to happen, factual information is the only way! As the old saying goes, to be forewarned is to be forearmed!

Wow Rob-things have sure change in as far as how equipped the new ambulance is now as well as Sav…thats a positive thing for the folks allover the area -not just tourists.
I'd love to see some pictures of the ambulance (inside) as well as the Sav ER dept…-anyway you could get a few shots and post them?

Next chance I get - I will ask them. And if they agree, then no problem!

And yes, things must have changed since the last time you checked things out.

It is generally best to stay up on things as I do since I live here and may need medical care. And the Sav Hospital's own website states they have "24 Hour Casualty / Accident & Emergency (A&E)".

http://www.wrha.gov.jm/content/WRHA_Westmoreland.html

By the way, Charlotte Wallace from Rockhouse was with me when the EMTs were working hard to save the woman's life. We were both amazed at how efficient and dedicated the EMTs were - it was incredible to see those professionals in action.

If I didn't know better myself and I was a first time visitor reading some of these inaccurate posts (RE: EMT, Ill equipped hospitals) I'd be extremely nervous about visiting Negril.
In this thread, I've read about: People videoing someone dying on the beach, nearest hospital 90 mins away, Police taking along time to respond to a potentially fatal accident, a person leaving a murder scene, ambulances not accepting credit cards........and that's just a few!. Thankfully, there's people like Rob who can rectify all this "made up" nonsense and actually provide facts.

It is extremely sad that there's been a fatality, my thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim.

The person who filmed the victim receiving CPR, in my opinion potentially thought they were 'gathering evidence' but to then post it onto a well known site to promote it is just sick, twisted and thoughtless, heartless with total disregard for the victims nearest and dearest. Should the video be used for evidence then fair enough, pass it onto the correct channels. Posting it for the world to see is inexcusable behaviour. Glad I didn't see it and glad it's been deleted!.

Summary: accidents happen, whether it's a horse, jet ski, aeroplane, car, motorbike, hurricane, avalanche, cliff, stairs etc etc. We can't live in a mamby pamby state where people are too scared to do things, we just need to be more personally responsible for our own safety and of those around us.

NB this post isn't intended to offend anybody, apologies if it has!

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Originally Posted by Rob

Kylake,

Exactly! We always want our visitors to have the best time possible, that is why this site was created almost 20 years ago now. And for that to happen, factual information is the only way! As the old saying goes, to be forewarned is to be forearmed!

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My guest at Treehouse suffered a seizure and was whisked away in an ambulance within 20 minutes.
She spent the night in the hospital
One word of advice take cash , registration was $1500JA , my staff only had his debit card so he found an ATM and came back to pay the fee.
So in the rush remember the cash

If you are swimming in the water, be careful and responsible, if you are driving a boat do the same, if you are riding a jet ski be careful and responsible...etc, etc...
We vacation on a lake in Michigan every summer where jet skis are all over the place, and there are people riding them who don't know what they are doing and are inexperienced. We were towing our daughter and her friend on a tube from our boat and someone on a jet ski didn't see the line and almost nailed us on the boat. We can't stand that inexperienced and foolish people are on them (not everyone, mind you), It just causes us to be more careful and keep a close eye out for them. They aren't going to go away people, just be more careful and aware of your surroundings. The thing that bothers me about them in Negril is when they aren't watching in front of them because the driver is trying to solicit business from the beach.

I have a good friend who has the largest jet ski and boat rental operation in St. Augustine. 20 - 25 skis on any given day.

Here are the regulations:

1. Riders must go thru a quick review of safety procedures and designated riding areas
2. Riders under 18 take a short written exam that gets then the required certification to run a watercraft
3. The rental operation must have an employee on a ski with a radio in the riding area to enforce the riding area and no wake zonesrequirements.

A bit too regulated for Jamaica?

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Originally Posted by captaind

A bit too regulated for Jamaica?

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That's a loaded question!
You'll find tourists that will say it's too regulated & some tourists say it's not regulated enough.....????

It's always the same balancing act between the "capital of casual" being interpreted by the visitors as anything goes and trying to have some kind common sense regulations.

Back when I had the boats we didn't even need insurance or any sort of license. But Negril was a tenth of what it is today.

Tourist business "no easy"