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DPS rescues stranded swimmers
On Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, at about 2:25pm, DPS Central received a call about stranded swimmers at the Grotto dive spot in Marpi. Two victims were still outside Grotto on the cliff line.
DPS Boating Safety Section launched a rescue boat and the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Service search and rescue unit responded.
Police met with one of the three stranded swimmers and learned that three men were snorkeling in Grotto when they dived down through an underwater cave at Grotto and out to the open ocean outside the cliff line.
The men attempted to swim back through the cave but the current was too strong. All three men surfaced outside of Grotto. One of the male swimmers who was equipped with rubber shoes climbed the cliff face and made his way to security, requesting for help.
The male swimmer with shoes launched his personal drone with a camera and flew it over the location, spotting the two victims, both Caucasian males, ages 28 and 29. The victims were on a flat surface at the bottom of the cliff line, waiting for help.
DPS personnel and the DFEMS SARU team deployed rapelling gear and made their way down the cliff line. First responders made contact with the two victims and requested for two pairs of rubber booties (shoes). The shoes were brought down to the victims who climbed up the cliff face, escorted by first responders. The victims were checked and cleared by DFEMS medics and they refused treatment and transport. (DPS)
