Posted by The PM on June 23, 2001 at 15:53:51:
In Reply to: Man Island Tragedy posted by Maddie on June 22, 2001 at 16:00:52:
I heard they first landed in Mayaguana.
: happen here) floating around. Apparently about 30 Haitians were on the
: boat which had been as sea for 22 days. 6 days before landing at Man
: they ran out of food and water. Medical teams from here (who did a
: fantastic job with equipment, medicines, and what and who they had to
: work with) went to the island... did what they could. One was already
: dead on the boat.. three more died within hours of landing... right on the
: beach. They buried the four up in the bushes just beyond the dunes.
: I have photos of the grave (1 big grave). The rest were taken the next
: day to Nassau by Defense Force Boat... having spent the entire night in
: the clinic with being nursed a bit back from dehydration and exposure.
: Some still in criltical unit Govt hospital in Nassau. Very sad.
: So yesterday... two days later.. I went back of Man and found the sloop
: easily. Went ashore.... it smelled....flies everywhere... clothes,
: old pot stove where they cooked... old fishing lines... wet flour,shoes... and general stench of dying humanity. Took photos.. also
: got Haitian flag off of mast.. plus home hued tiller from wooden rudder
: which was tied down with rope... Walked up to grave site, took photos.
: Came home...silent and tired. You know, till you are in the middle of
: this sort of thing...not seeing it on ABC evening news... it doesnt
: hit you. This is my second encounter..last time was actuially involved
: with feeding them... holding cups for them.. Biggest ironony here..just
: before one died he asked person attending him.....MIAMI ??? This Miami?