TRINIDAD-TTPS commend “brave” officers for rescuing an eight-year-old child.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has commended “the heroic actions of two officers” of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), who risked their lives to rescue an eight-year-old girl swept away by flood waters in the East Dry River, in the capital.

The police said that on Sunday, police constables Taylor and Neptune were conducting a mobile patrol when they were alerted by a passerby that a young child had fallen into the river and was being carried away by strong currents.

The officers immediately responded and, upon locating the child, “Taylor entered the turbulent waters without hesitation. After a brief struggle, he managed to secure the child; however, he soon encountered difficulty and was himself at risk of being swept away”.

The TTPS said that recognizing the danger, Neptune, assisted by a civilian, Dillon Ramsey, “bravely intervened and helped bring both PC Taylor and the child safely to shore.”

The TTPS said that the child was subsequently transported to a nearby police station, where she was handed over to the relevant authorities for medical evaluation and care.

It said that both police officers were taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital for medical attention.

“I feel happy to be home. I was scared. Really scared,” the eight-year-old, Abigail “Abby” Joseph, told the Trinidad Express newspaper after her rescue.

“I was playing with my brothers when I stepped back and I fell. We were playing with Miss Maude. I tried to swim. But the water was pushing me back. I hit my head against a post. I drank water. I vomited. I was glad when the policeman came to help me.

“They wrapped me in a towel. I was still cold. But I was happy to be out of the water. I was happy to see my mother,” she told the newspaper.

“The TTPS publicly recognizes and commends PC Taylor and PC Neptune for their courage, swift response, and unwavering commitment to protecting and serving the public. Special appreciation is also extended to Mr. Dillon Ramsey for his selfless assistance in this life-saving effort.

“The TTPS continues to urge members of the public to exercise caution during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding, and to remain vigilant, particularly near rivers and other watercourses,” it added.