Rescue Teams Risked Their Lives to Save Couple

We also heard from Orvin Rudon, the team leader at the National Fire Service Rescue Team. Rudon explained that when his team arrived on the scene, BISART and the Spanish Lookout E.M.S. were already in action. Rudon thanked the various agencies for their quick response and the courage displayed in risking their lives to save others.

 

Orvin Rudon, Team Leader, National Fire Service Rescue Team

“I think they were just like regular other people going to visit the pools and standing on the rocks. The only thing I can think about is there was heavy rains further up in the mountains and all the water came together and that was the main path of the water flow and the water just rose suddenly on them and they realized they couldn’t get out because of the rapid flow. If they would have stepped in that water, they would have been surely swept away down further the stream. Being that it was late in the evening and the weather was off and on with the rain as all the teams were trying to assist getting these people out. Nightfall met us in the dark and it was challenging with the darkness, but all the team worked together to get them out safely and that was the main focus on the rescue.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How long did it take to get them out?”

 

Orvin Rudon

“From the moment we get the call somewhere around four p.m., I think the rescue was completed about ten minutes to nine somewhere there about. So, they were standing on that rock for a few hours before being rescued. From the Belize National Fire Service and seeing that I am responsible for the National Fire Service Rescue Team I would like to thank the different other rescue teams who came out and responded quickly to the call, Spanish Lookout Fire and Rescue Team, BISART Rescue Team, and San Antonio Rescue Team, the B.D.F. officers that responded as well.”