Outlook Writer
MATTHEW ASHLEY Thompson was saved because of his family's alertness.
He is all smiles after his near drowning experience and his father is happy that it was teamwork of a loving family that brought about his son's rescue.
But nine-year-old Matthew is not entirely convinced that he was in any trouble at Golden Shore Beach in St. Thomas, as he prides himself as a boy who can swim, having lived near the beach all his life.
He nevertheless related some of what took place on that day a few weeks ago when everyone else said that the sea almost claimed his life.
THE BEACH
After school, at about 5:00 p.m., Matthew, his friends and cousins Tesmond, Rachel, Romaine, and Shyanie all went to the Golden Shore Beach. This is next door to their home in Lyssons, St. Thomas.
They were among some visitors who introduced them to a floater. Matthew was glad for it and went out on the water and started to float.
He slipped off the float and it overturned and started to drift. He swam after it but, because the wind was so high, he could not retrieve it.
One of the visitors who saw him trying to catch it also tried to retrieve it but it eluded him also; so the visitor took up his own floater and returned to the shore.
Every one was having a good time in the water. Oblivious to his danger, Matthew continued to swim after the float.
"I was going down, so I turned back," said Matthew. "But the wind was strong, so I kept going back."
Nadine, Matthew's eldest sister, saw that he was experiencing difficulties returning to shore and shouted for help. Her father Glen heard and called to his big son Hosaine, who was next door to the family home, at the time.
Hosaine did not hesitate he leaped over two walls and dived into the water with clothes still on and swam towards Matthew. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Dusaine grabbed a float and dived in as well.
Matthew's father witnessed his son disappear under the water twice. According to Nadine: "Daddy said, 'Lord Jesus, Matthew gone now'."
But Hosaine reached Matthew and put him on his back. And Dushaine met them with the float.
Both placed Matthew on the 'floata' and brought him in safely.
Dad had conflicting emotions of gratitude, happiness and anger as his children reached shore.
He had stern warning for Matthew: "Don't go into the water again and go straight inside."
Outlook asked Matthew afterwards, "How do you feel about the whole experience?"
"Mi never did a go drown," came the response. Then he conceded, "Mi feel good say me save because mi go down two times."
He shivered. "A feel cold," he said and looked up into the sky, then bowed his head.
Matthew (right), along with his brother Dusaine, (left) and their cousin Tesmond. Dusaine had grabbed a float and dived in the water, along with elder brother Hosaine to save Matthew from drowning.
