Missing_kayaker_found
Missing_kayaker_found
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Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:50:38 CDT
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Tue Apr 1, 2008 21:35:48 CDT
To answer Cobler's question one should look no furthur than to our friends and neighbors in the City of San Antonio, Texas.There were so many idiots that choose to go around the high water barracades (just watch the news there when it rains LoL) that they have a policy called "turn around...don't drown". Well if you DON'T turn around and they have to do a rescue for you and your stupid Escalade on 20's you thought could cross the flooded road and you get swept away.... then guess what.....YOU GET BILLED the full amount of the rescue including whatever hardware was used/lost in the chase.
Call them. I'm not making this up. As far as this case in Victoria goes well you seem pretty intent in not giving us the real story so I guess we'll never know. Except for the forum here which is where we all get the real info for your stories anyway.
Tue Apr 1, 2008 19:59:02 CDT
I don't need to see the advocate do a new story. I would rather we see the following story:What happens when an irresponsible person abandons his kayak and wanders off from his family leaving them to think he drowned, then allow Fire & rescue Teams to risk their lives for no reason?
This is my last post on the subject. There is no need for me to make everyone suffer just because I think what took place is a little strange. And yes it is extremely strange.
Just call me curious. A bunch of tax dollars were spent and no information was provided as to why.
Oh yes, it's a "Forum". I get to express my opinion. Isn't the United States a great place to live.
Tue Apr 1, 2008 19:35:32 CDT
You know, tstorm5, I'm really not looking to fight with you since you clearly have your mind made up that this person had nothing better to do than inconvenience our fire and rescue folks.
So how about the Advocate doing an article on what happens when a person is reported missing near a body of water? Who do you think made the decision to send all of those people and all of that equipment--the family?
You act like they ordered up this large scale rescue operation on a whim. I am pretty sure they just made the call to report the man missing, and the responding agencies orchestrated it from there. Many search and rescue efforts turn out to be nothing; unfortunately, many search and rescue efforts turn into search and recovery events.
Why are you getting all over these folks? You need to take a chill pill!
Tue Apr 1, 2008 18:39:52 CDT
Thank you Mr. Cobler for replying so quick. Like I said, lots of good, one bad.For starters, I just think it's a little odd that adults kayaking could become so seperated, that Helicopters, Fire Trucks, and Rescue vehicles could be called and spend HOURS looking for a 26 "Adult". If it were a Parent that had become seperated from a small child, it would be understandable.
I am pretty sure that if I was kayaking with my old man and I just decide to "wander" off, and my dad called 911, I would have preferred the drowning to what he would have done.
If some of you over-sensitive types are offended because these friends of your a very nice people. Well thats all fine and dandy. I'm sure they are nice people. Heck, I'm generally a pretty nice guy myself. That doesn't change much.
I would feel the same way if it were my mom we were talking about. I would expect her to call the Advocate and make dam sure everyone knew she had screwed up.
And NO, I wouldn't be happier if someone had actually drowned. As far as I'm concerned, it's no different than the "wife to be" that ran off a while back and an intense man-hunt took place searching for her, then come to find out she had gotten cold feet and ran away. I think they tried to hit her up for some of the costs of that search and rescue operation.
Tue Apr 1, 2008 17:55:07 CDT
To answer the question about the initial articles going to the archives, this happens the next day with stories posted to "Latest News." We're working on correcting this technical glitch so that these posts stay on the site as long as our other articles.In terms of the question about whether families or individuals should pay when emergency responders are called to what turns out to be nothing, that could be an interesting story. Anyone know an agency that has this policy?
Tue Apr 1, 2008 17:40:37 CDT
Odd...Both articles have been shuffled off to the Archives, never to be seen again. I haven't ever said anything bad about the advocates reporting or in this case the lack of reporting. I guess along side all the good things I have seen, I will add one thing I believe is wrong.
Tue Apr 1, 2008 11:35:36 CDT
Reading this story and the thread. I've come to the opinion that the 26 year old MAN should be held responsible, assuming he is of sound mind. I understand the parents panic. Your son disappears and you find only his kayak. It sounds like he put his parents through hours of hell. Shame on him.
Tue Apr 1, 2008 10:15:54 CDT
tstorm5, give them HELL. We don't know the whole story but is it OK to "cry wolf"?!?! The family should be fined if our cops (LoL) can prove if this was somekind of staged prank of some sort. The kid is an "ADULT" he was something like 26 yrs old.Could this be done by the CITY to stage a mock rescue on the river??? It being a new site to play--they can use their air,land,sea rescue techiques/equipment and see how all responded. Only flaw, people were golfing and media picked up on it....hhhmmm. Whatever the Advocate does decide to print lets hope that this family is OK and possibly going to their pastor/couselor. I hope this is a closed drama and it goes nowhere from here on out.
Great Job, rescuers....
Tue Apr 1, 2008 10:01:00 CDT
You know what, I have always been taught in life to not put certain people on a pedastal over others based on wealth, color, education, etc. I could give two toots less how many "taxes" this high and mighty family has paid over their lifetime. That was a very stupid thing to say. What happened happened and if they are in the paper then that's a free for all for this forum as well as the public forum of each and every coffee house in the Tri County area.And another thing......rarely am I ashamed of what I have to say. I feel that some of tstorm's comments were a bit premature but they are indeed facts aren't they ? And those comments are his not mine. So before you get on here speaking on behalf of the wellbeing of your family friends in high places, remember we all pay taxes buddy.
Tue Apr 1, 2008 06:47:10 CDT
Okay, tstorm5, if this kid had been found injured, or worse, DEAD, you would not be complaining about the amount of time and money spent on this ordeal? ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?
If you were able to read the story again,I believe it said that he ARRIVED home in the middle of the night; it never said he had been home all the time. YOU get your FACTS straight. (And if you are taking every printed word in the Advocate as FACT, then you're the fool!)
Texan627 is right--this is a fine family. I'm glad this turned out well. All Agencies who responded did their jobs, and did them well. Thanks!, guys and gals.
Tue Apr 1, 2008 03:48:34 CDT
I'm sorry you're offended.Facts according to the VA
Fact: Rescue Teams search for hours unable to find victim
Fact: There never was a victim
Fact: Victim was at home
Fact: Somebody has to pay for Services
Curious minds want to know.
Tue Apr 1, 2008 00:46:51 CDT
I must say that I am quite saddened by the postings related to this story. I know this family very well and I know the details of this story equally as well. It is a private matter that does not need to be subjected to speculation and gossip in the news. If you only knew the facts of this story you would feel ashamed to what you have already posted. The rescue teams were doing their job and just because this incident did not end tragically does not mean this family did not deserve the support and cooperation of law enforcement. I guarantee that the amount of taxes this family has paid over their life in Victoria has more than paid for the cost of the services incurred these past few days.
These are real people with real lives and real feelings and for some readers to post such abusive comments without knowing the facts is the tragedy in all of this. All of your speculation is only good for stirring up gossip and causing the family more grief.
You may never know the true story, but I know the true story and I assure you that all of your comments are off base. Consider this a family matter and keep your non-factual-based comments to yourself.
Mon Mar 31, 2008 19:08:50 CDT
I hope the VA gets the whole story and an interview with this young man. Maybe an article relating to kayak safety too since this is a growing hobby among Texans. It could avoid this happening again and again by using this case as an example.
Mon Mar 31, 2008 18:37:52 CDT
The first story (that is no longer available too me) stated the father turned around and the son was "gone".I don't know the first thing about kayaking, but unless both are experts or close to it, I would think they would want to stick together. I have watched the sporty kind in Colorado and know that I have no business on one.
I was on the golf course when the helicopter arrived. They started looking just West of the Golf Course and were moving South from there. I had to assume they were trying to guess about how far a body might have traveled with the current. They looked for a loooong time before they quit. I'm guessing a couple of hours minimum. I didn't know it was a real rescue attempt until reading about it today.
Based on what little I've read so far, these people either have a few problems, or they have enough money to keep the Advocate from digging to deep.
Either way. I'm guessing I could walk any direction on the West side of that river and find a house WITH A PHONE, in about 30 minutes. Even if I was drunk!
Mon Mar 31, 2008 18:12:42 CDT
****In Roscoe P. Coltrane voice****"Now you hooooold on there Tstorm gee gee gee IDGIT."
I'm known on this forum to be a pretty harsh individual and even I have to say we need to wait for the entire story. Now one can only assume the kayakers had proper safety vests on, correct paddles, straps, etc. The Guadalupe isn't a full crest here but it's still a nice little stream even on a good day. As a former kayaker myself let's think about this.
Suppose you're kayaking and you tump over and were dumb enough to not have your clip attached to your life vest. Kayak goes bye bye. You swim and swim, but then say screw it and climb the bank.
Where are you ? ON 2200 acres of someone's land ? Behind a subdivision ? Where ? So you walk. And walk...aaaannnnd WALK. That could explain the time delay. A couple of questions instantly come to mind:
Dad ? Where the HELL are you so far away you can't hear someone yelling for you ?
Kayak safety vests ? Whistles ? Emergency horn ? I have them. This person did not. Cell phone ? Geez put together an emergency kit. Think people, think.
So then comes laziness/ or maybe fatigue but probably laziness. I mean if you had a vest then float and swim until you find your vessel. SEIZE YOUR KAYAK !!! SEIZE YOUR KAYAK !! LOL..............................
Victoria Advocate, yoooooooooooooooooouuu're UP !!
Mon Mar 31, 2008 17:58:45 CDT
Ooops, forgot about the Dog Handlers and Bloodhounds. If you think I'm being harsh, forget about it. That Rescue Equipment isn't cheap, and while the guys performing a time wasting "search for no victim" activities are out doing exactly that they could be helping a real victim.
I will admit that I don't have all the details, but the family that called for a rescue should be held responsible for their lack of communication between each other.
Now if this 26 year old has some type of mental disability then I will have to rretract all of this.
Otherwise, they pay, not us.
Thats all I have to say about that(in my best Forrest Gump)
Mon Mar 31, 2008 17:48:43 CDT
I'm glad he's alive too. Now he can pay for the cost of a Rescue Helicopter, Fire Truck, Rescue Vehicle, and probably 6 to 10 personnel out risking their lives searching for his sorry butt. My guess is it cost us Taxpayers a minimum of $5000.00 for those activities Sunday.
VA - do a little follow up on this. A guy just doesn't disappear for 16 hours without telling someone. Not unless the dad thought, "Well, he drowned, OK lets all go home".
Mon Mar 31, 2008 15:52:10 CDT
So no one thought of checking his room ?Glad to see he survived.
Mon Mar 31, 2008 15:13:31 CDT
He's 26 and still lives at home ?
Mon Mar 31, 2008 13:59:00 CDT
Thank God he made it out before it was to late.I bet he was scared to death.
Mon Mar 31, 2008 13:36:18 CDT
Well thats good news. Hope he is doing fine!