Fire officers and other emergency personnel responded quickly today when a woman fell into a 25-foot well in Porters, St James.
Rachael Layne, of Trents, St James, the lone female in an eight-member debushing team from the Ministry of Transport and Works, was working along the roadway in Porters when she left the group to take a bathroom break.
A team member, who recognised her prolonged absence, went to investigate, when her cries for help were heard coming from inside the well, which is located on a private property.
Group leader Sherwin Worrell said they started work at about 7:15 a.m. and were clearing overhanging tress from along the roadway. He said Layne left the group at about 11:10 a.m., but he found she was taking too long and sent one of the men to find her.
“I tell them it tekking too long. She shouldn’t be gone so long,” he said.
Gregory Clinton, who heard Layne’s cries, said he too might have fallen into the well had it not been for his quick reflexes.
Station Officer Wayne Vaughan said the Barbados Fire Service received the report at 11:41 a.m. and arrived on the scene at approximately 11:56 a.m. with eight fire officers, including Station Officer Tremel Perch and officers from the Arch Hall, St Thomas and Bridgetown, St Michael Fire Stations.
Two fire officers, one who is also a trained emergency medical technician, went into the well to assesss and rescue Layne. She was then transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by ambulance. (RA)
