US visitor dies after swimming off 7MB
(CNS): A 50-year-old visitor from the United States was pulled out of the sea off Seven Mile Beach west of Marsh Road on Tuesday evening after he lost consciousness. Police said that at around 5:30pm people nearby saw that he was in distress and pulled him out of the water. They conducted CPR until emergency services arrived but he had lost consciousness. He was taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He is the fifth person victim to lose his life in the water so far this year in the Cayman Islands.
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Category: Local News
This visitor had a seizure in the water and drowned as a result. His wife and children will miss him terribly.
This is an issue going under the radar. Why are so many snorkellers getting into distress and drowning? 50 is not old. Was this person very overweight?
More details should be released.
Why does Caymanian not have life guards on popular locations?
Because no Caymanian wants to do that job. It would be just another job where a work permit would be needed, and then we’d get all the crap about foreigners stealing our jobs again.
If you feel so strongly about it, why not organise a volunteer force of people willing to stand along the whole length of SMB at 100 yard intervals and watch the sea all day.
Good luck with that.
I hope your life was full, Sir, and that your last days were joyful.
No swimming zones on SMB – why?
Deepest condolences and prayers to his loved ones. I really hope Government start deploying lifeguards, lifesaving devises on beaches, placing signs of dangers of water activities, no swimming zones and offering free snorkeling lessons.
Free snorkeling? Why are you coming to an island if you do not know how to swim? Proper research on a destination’s waters is needed before coming
People have medical incidents… even when they know how to swim. You could be more sensitive to a situation you have no first hand knowledge of.
I was referring specifically to the free snorkeling bit. Yes it is unfortunate but the government is not to blame. There are many signs on island warning of the current and we know where NOT to swim.
Agree – this is not governments responsibility – visitors to the island swim out far to snorkel with no life vest or any flotation device – the only thing I think government should do is maybe place more signs bear popular snorkeling spots warning them it is not safe to go out without some kind of life jacket or float. Lifeguards manning these areas is never going to happen and i think unnecessary. But some signs and education would be helpful.
Agree – was in Seven Mile Beach this afternoon. Some snorkelers left the Westin ( with floatation devices) and they went out a very long way. Not only would any lifeguard need to be an Olympic swimmer (and I gather there may be a few hopefuls swimming in the Commonwealth Games next month) but they ‘d also need bionic vision to spot a swimmer in trouble. At the end of the day, we allmhave to take personal responsibility and weigh up the risks. Not a job for Government.
Like all the free skiing lessons I get every time I choose to go slide down a mountain?
RIP visitor. Condolences to your family & friends.