Young Tobago hero comes to my rescue

THE EDITOR: In the midst of all the gloom and doom of the current news I wish to share a wonderful story of a young man in Tobago.

We have recently returned to the UK from a two-week holiday in beautiful Tobago. We were staying at the Coco Reef Resort. We took full advantage of everything that was available and embraced the incredible heat with frequent swims within the enclosed reef. We were in awe of the young people on Cable B Beach. Their diving, swimming and fishing skills were amazing.

During the second week of our stay the sea became increasingly fierce and we were cautious when taking a cooling dip. During the afternoon as the sea became quite rough my dip became truly scary. I was unable to swim against the strong current and was swept through the gap in the reef out into the sea.

A young boy saw me go and without hesitation or fear for his own safety he jumped onto his paddle board and followed. I am a woman of senior years and I am deaf.

The young boy quickly understood and gestured to me to climb aboard his small board, but I was unable to. I was quickly being overcome by the relentless waves and was quite exhausted. He encouraged me to hold on to his board and even though a couple of huge waves threatened us he did not leave me.

Help was eventually mustered from the resort and after missing the rocks a couple times I eventually made it back to the safety of the resort beach.

The young boy followed and only until he could be assured that I was well and uninjured did he return home.

The young boy returned every day after school to make certain I was okay. He refused any reward and said he was simply happy that I was safe. We later learned his name is Jedidiah Marshall and that he is just 12 years old. He is without doubt my hero.

His family should be immensely proud of raising such an intelligent, caring, modest and brave boy. Tobago should also be proud of such an amazing youngster?

I don't have any contact details for Jedidiah but I would really like to write to him and express my most sincere thanks for his heroism. If Jedidiah had not been there circumstances may have been dramatically different and if possible I would appreciate if someone could provide his contact details?

Thank you, Jedidiah.

JUDY STEWART

Judystewart1955@hotmail.com