Men Who Found King’s Body Recount Tragic Incident
Six-year-old King Shakel Wade was found dead in a canal near Fairweather Street and South Creek in Belize City on Tuesday evening. He had been under the care of a babysitter when he disappeared. After an hour-long search, his body was recovered from the canal and taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The men who searched for his body spoke to News 5 today. Myers told News 5, “When I see everybody start jumping in the water, then I say, just make I go. As I jump in the water when I go to the bottom, I feel the foot.”
Another man who jumped in the canal is Arnold Smith. According to Smith, “First thing I got in my head, go home, take off the clothes I got on, no hesitation, and jump in the water. Don’t worry about what is down there; just jump in the water and try to save the young boy.”
Assisting the men was to them was coast guard officer, Noel Avila. Avila told News 5, “At that time, my parental instinct kicked in, and I told the chief, I’m going in the water. Knowing the debris and all the stuff that’s in the water, I still went in. I had on my tennis, shoes, you know, and I did start bobbing. A technique that we use.”
Ashton Thurton also jumped into the canal to assist in the search.
King’s body was then transported to the KHMH where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to police, authorities responded to the scene around 5:45 p.m. after receiving a report of a child falling into the canal. Upon arrival, officers spoke to 56-year-old babysitter Jennifer Fitzgibbon, who stated that Wade had been seated on an old refrigerator outside her home while she attended to other children. Around 3:30 p.m., one of Wade’s siblings began looking for him and was informed by a minor that Wade had fallen into the water.
A search for the young boy ensued, and at approximately 4:30 p.m., Wade’s slipper was found near the canal. His lifeless body was recovered at 6:15 p.m.
Other persons in the area assisted with the search.
Facebook Comments