A group of firefighters and about seventy-five spectators watched a man die in cold waters in San Francisco Monday. The initial responders were strictly forbidden by police to try a rescue, which was deemed too dangerous in the cold water.
Everyone recognized the individual was suicidal already
On Memorial Day, Raymond Zack, 52 or 53, walked to the water at 11:30 a.m. which was only 54 degrees up to his neck. He stood there until he lost consciousness and drowned. The U.S. Coast Guard could not rescue him in a boat because of the shallow waters.
Eye-witness Sharon Brunetti told reporters that Zack’s stepmother had asked her to call 911. Zack supposedly told the stepmother that he wanted to kill himself. Brunetti further commented that Zack had “gradually inched out farther and farther,” occasionally glancing back at the shore.
The gathering of those who viewed
Police, Coast Guard personnel and around 75 spectators stood on the beach and viewed the individual for almost an hour. A woman who was only 20 eventually got in the water. She dragged Zack’s body back to shore after he passed away. There was speculation that she was a nurse. She was just not on duty.
Sean Lynch, the Alameda law enforcement Lt., said the police officers didn’t have cold water gear with them. They could not risk getting pulled under with the cold water. “Certainly this was tragic, but police officers are tasked with ensuring public safety, including the safety of personnel who are sent to try to resolve these kinds of situations.”
Water rescues cut from spending budget
Water rescue training and water rescues themselves were cut from the budget in the Alameda Fire Department. This happened two years back.
“The incident yesterday was deeply regrettable,” said Interim Fire Chief Mike D’Orazi. “But I can also see it from our firefighters’ perspective. They’re standing there wanting to do something, but they are handcuffed by policy at that point.” A new policy on water rescues will be initiated by D’Orazi now.
City responds to grievances
After receiving a flood of complaints Tues, the city of San Francisco appropriated $20,000 to $40,000 to train 16 firefighters in land-based water rescue training.
Information from
Newser
newser.com/story/119849/man-dies-in-sf-bay-while-firefighters-police-watch.html
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/43233984/ns/us_news-life/
Huliq
huliq.com/3257/man-dies-hypothermia-san-francisco-bay-authorities-watch
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