Prime Minister King applauds rescue of American student on Petit Piton
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Contact: Chris Satney
Monday, 27 October 2008 – Minister for Disaster Management in Saint Lucia, Prime Minister, the Hon. Stephenson King, has commended all involved in the rescue of an American College Student on Petit Piton Friday evening.
Francis Heinmann had been stranded on Petit Piton for almost thirteen hours, after falling some 200 feet on a dangerous side of the famous mountain—his fall broken only by a tree. Heinmann was safely rescued with the assistance of a Search and Rescue Team from Martinique, with only bumps, bruises and a strained arm but no broken bones.
Mr. Heinmann was first taken care of by the First Response Team on the helicopter after his rescue, and was subsequently taken to the Accident & Emergency Department of Victoria Hospital for further stabilization, where he was visited by the Minister for Health, Dr. Keith Mondesir.
The successful rescue of Mr. Heinmann saw the mobilization of NEMO agencies including personnel and resources from the St. Lucia Fire Service, LUCELEC, Soufriere Marine Management Area, Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, George F L Charles Airport and Mr. Alex Grechie of Saint Lucia Helicopters, the Soufriere Disaster Committee, Ministry of Health Staff at the site and on stand by, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Ministry of Tourism and the French Embassy.
The prime minister has expressed his sincere appreciation to the French Ambassador and the Martiniquan First Response Team, who executed the dangerous rescue at night and saved the life of Mr. Heinmann.
Prime Minister King also wished Mr Heinmann a full and speedy recovery from his ordeal. |
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