Journalist and diplomat, Wesley Kirton, who became trapped and sank up to his neck in a swamp at Moblissa was rescued after emergency crews used the sound of an ambulance siren to locate him, according to Captain Gerry Gouveia.
In a Facebook post, Gouveia said that Kirton, a director of the Moblissa dairy farm was taken to hospital after being pulled from the swamp on Thursday evening and was said to be resting.
Gouveia said firefighters and a helicopter had spent the day battling a savannah fire near Moblissa. The helicopter used a Bambi bucket to collect water from a nearby lake and discharge it over the flames.
Before leaving Linden for Georgetown, Gouveia said he telephoned Kirton and asked him to inspect the rear of the dairy farm. Kirton reportedly saw the helicopter operating in the distance and said the fire appeared to be under control.
However, shortly after Gouveia arrived home, he received a call from the 911 emergency service informing him that Kirton was trapped in a swamp and believed he was sinking.
Gouveia said he contacted the firefighters who had just left the fire scene and asked them to return. The helicopter, which was refuelling, was redirected to the area, while an ambulance was dispatched.
Rescuers found Kirton’s vehicle and driver, but the driver was unable to identify precisely where he had gone.
According to Gouveia, Kirton’s cellular phone had only 10% battery power and would allow him to contact emergency services but could not receive ordinary calls. The 911 operator therefore connected the two men.
Kirton was unable to describe his location, saying only that he was in the swamp and sinking.
Gouveia said he instructed the ambulance crew to activate its siren and asked Kirton whether he could hear it. The rescuers then adjusted their direction based on whether the sound was becoming louder or fainter.
Kirton eventually reported that he could see the ambulance but that it was moving away from him. The crew was told to turn around and retrace its route.
Gouveia said Kirton then shouted to attract the rescuers’ attention and was spotted. By the time they reached him, he had sunk up to his neck.
The firefighters pulled him free and placed him in the ambulance for transport to hospital.
Gouveia thanked the 911 operators, ambulance crew and firefighters, saying their response had saved Kirton’s life.
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