‘Drowned’ man rescuedBy Onika James Monday, March 3 2008
Jameel Ali spent a harrowing Saturday night adrift at sea as he struggled against rough waves to cling on to rocks off the coast at North Post, Diego Martin even as the police and relatives feared he had drowned.
Ali, 23, was rescued by fishermen who found him stranded on rocks early yesterday morning. Hours before, his relatives were mourning for him, his father Ramzan Ali, 45, and cousin Ishmael Ali, 27, after they were told the three men had drowned after they were swept out to sea by waves as they fished off North Post on Saturday.
The Coast Guard recovered a body which has since been identified as Ramzan Ali and Ishmael has now been listed as missing. Ramzan’s body was taken to the Port-of-Spain Mortuary and Jameel, his mother Betty, wife Teisha and sister Noori Ali-Martinez went there yesterday to view the body.
Jameel was taken to the Seventh-day Adventist Hospital, Cocorite after being rescued and was treated for cuts, bruises from the pounding waves and fish bites on his left foot. He was about to leave the hospital for the mortuary when he spoke to Newsday.
Limping on his bandaged leg, Jameel held his son Eison, one, as he recalled his night in the open sea.
“I tread water whole night and when I got tired I float. I swim , I real swim. I reached a rock and was clinging for dear life, it was the most traumatic time of my life. Whole night big waves hit me. I am battered and bruised all over,” he said, holding back tears. Ali-Martinez said Teisha left their Bournes Road, St James home at about 5.30 am and returned to North Post waters hoping he and his father had not drowned but had survived.
“A few friends from the market took a boat and went out to sea. They found him clinging to the rocks,” said Ali-Martinez.
Although in mourning for his father, Jameel is now worried about Ishamel, who lives at Harding Place, Cocorite.
“My cousin is still missing. I fear for him. I hope he alright,” said Jameel.
The family yesterday sought help from anyone with a boat who was willing to go out to sea to search for Ishmael.
