IT IS WITH A HEAVY HEART that I find myself writing to you regarding a regrettable incident which took place at Mullins Beach on Wednesday, July 14, which could very well have ended in not one, but two fatalities.
I, along with my immediate family, have been visiting Barbados for many years and have always stayed on the West Coast, and in particular, Mullins Beach.
We are known to the locals who provide superb water sports on the beach, and each year we bring our children to enjoy the various rides and their friendship.
This year we were joined by other family members who were making their first visit to the island.
Once again the children enjoyed the choice of rides and the friendliness of the local water sports providers.
On the day in question the beach was the busiest I had seen it for a long time.
There were approximately 15 to 20 people swimming, including my brother-in-law and his seven-year-old son just south of the beach bar (outside the “safe area”) when a jet ski passed them with a foot and a half to spare.
The speed of this jet ski was unacceptable. My brother-in-law shouted at him to “watch out”.
The operator then had the audacity to pull full throttle and circle my brother-in-law and young son once again narrowly missing them and accelerating off towards Speightstown.
I along with many others who were on the beach immediately sat up as we could not believe what we had just witnessed.
The jet skier in question paid no attention or regard to the many others enjoying their swim.
SHEILA DICKSON
