TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin another death on Kim Sha beach

A man was just pulled out of the water, who had passed away, on Kim Sha Beach. Apparently he came off a cruise ship. Very sad.

Very sad, Not sure of all the details yet but condolences to the family. Just below us and a couple of the group were on the beach as it was transpiring.

I’m very sorry to hear that. 😥

Nothing in today's Daily Herald. Perhaps they will have something online later today or in tomorrow's edition.

Just posted to FB:

Police Force of Sint Maarten - Korps Politie Sint Maarten
4 mins ·
Tourist drowns at Kim Sha Beach

On Wednesday March 20th at approximately 02.35 PM police patrols and paramedics were directed to Kim Sha beach where it was reported that a man had drowned. On the scene the investigating officers encountered paramedics who were busy applying first aid to the mail victim who was lying on his back on the beach.

The victim however, was not reacting to the aid that was giving to him. After approximately 15 minutes of the unsuccessful attempt to reanimate the victim the attempt was halted. Dr. Mercuur who arrived on the scene pronounced the death of the victim as a result of drowning. According to a family member of the victim, he entered the water for a swim and at one point was not seen anymore.

The victim identified with initials T.L.F and a passenger on board of the Harmony of The Seas was taken to a morgue for further arrangement. There were no signs of foul play in this investigation.

Prayers for the family.

Thanks for the information. Two other men on the beach pulled him out prior to paramedics arriving and had done CPR for a while to no avail.

I thought ships had morgues? Seems as if they'd want to bring the body home with them....??

Ships do have morgues, but that would only be if he had died onboard ship. Since he died on SXM, SXM authorities have to release the body, and I understand that can be quite some time.

What are the paramedic assets on the Dutch side. Does the medical school have a play in the matter?

Let's hope the right one makes it home. Remember when they mixed up a Canadian woman and another? Yikes!

Yes, I remember that happened, although not the particulars. Awful story!

Travel Hat,
After Irma, the professors and students at the medical school did a lot of first aid -- and even helped with some very serious cases that made their way to the AUC campus. But under normal circumstances, medical care on St. Maarten is handled by local clinics and the hospital in Philipsburg, or at the hospital in Marigot on the French side.

I remember the day after Irma medical students came here knocking door to door to see if anyone needed medical attention. Amazing

According to a local friend, the body will be "prepared" on the island and then flown to the destination. He said it usually takes 1-2 days or more. As Carol said, the death happened on the island and not on the ship.

According to two of the people I am with who were within yards of the situation, the local emergency response team did very little as the two men who drug the body out of the water initially knew what they were doing and did most of the revival efforts. They had worked on the person for at least 20 minutes prior to the local squad arriving.

Herald story.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/86210-tourist-drowns-at-kim-sha-beach-2