'Heroes' save woman in wheelchair as she falls from wharf into the sea
Two men are being hailed as heroes after they went “above the call of duty” and saved a young woman who fell from a pier in her wheelchair.
According to CNN, Kaschief Hamilton was playing music on a cruise ship when he heard a loud scream and saw people running.
His friend, Randolph Donovan, who works as an entertainer for people visiting the US Virgin Islands jumped 10 feet off the dock to help save a woman in a wheelchair who was sinking.
Mr Hamilton jumped in after Mr Donovan to help save the young woman.
Mr Donovan told CNN he got the young woman out of her wheelchair and someone on the pier threw down a life preserver.
When Mr Hamilton jumped in to help Mr Donovan, he was kicking furiously, trying to stay afloat and was holding the young woman.
The water where the woman fell in was roughly between 35 and 40 feet deep.
Using the life preserver, people on the dock helped Mr Hamilton and Mr Donovan pull the young woman to safety.
Speaking to CNN a spokeswoman for Carnival Cruise Line said the medical team saw to the guest, who did not sustain injuries and a complimentary wheelchair was given to the young woman for the rest of the cruise.
The woman has not been identified, however a family member reportedly gave both Mr Donovan and Mr Hamilton a big hug.
"I'm glad the outcome was something positive," Hamilton told CNN. "We would have lost someone who is both a family member and a passenger."
According to Mr Donovan and Mr Hamilton, even on the island, they are being recognised as local heroes.
Senator Kurt A. Vialet paid tribute to the two men on Facebook.
“Everyday heroes with unassuming personalities live among us!” He wrote. “Hats off and kudos to Mr Kashief General Kuntry Hamilton and Mr Junior Donovan!”
“Job well done and thank you for your willingness to assist with this duty today!”
According to his Facebook post, Senator Vialet didn’t just praise the two online, he also spoke of their heroic actions “on the Senate floor”.
Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner for the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism also praised Mr Hamilton and Mr Donovan.
He said the two men went “above the call of duty” when they jumped in to save the woman.
“Our team at the Department of Tourism truly value their heroic efforts, and thanks to them, a young visitor's life was saved,” he wrote.
“We often say that ‘Tourism Is All of Us,’ and Kashief and Randolph truly embodied that message.”
According to Mr Boschulte, Mr Hamilton and Mr Donovan are back at work and welcoming guests.
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