In Reply to: The Villas has killed 29 year old youth posted by meho on Saturday, 17. July 2004 at 16:30 Bali Time:
I was snorkelling in 3' to 4' of water when it felt like something stung me. In the process of looking around, I sucked in water and started coughing and spluttering. Then IT happened, I panicked and it was just a downward spiral from there. I kept trying to get somebody else's attention without success, which only escalated my state.
It had nothing to do with being able to swim or not, I could have easily stood up but the brain just wasn't working. The only reason that I am here writing this now is that ‘eventually', and only just in time, my normal ‘self' took over and I realised stop panicking or die.
The real important message here is that panic kills and it can happen to anybody, anytime. I am NOT one to panic, all my life, I have been / am the one to remain calm in any situation. Eg. Out of the blue, I discovered a 45-calibre revolver [read cannon] growing out of my nose. I never lost a beat and held a normal conversation with its owner. (Ok, I know that's a weekly routine for you Americans).
The tragedy raised in this post doesn't have to have any ‘undisclosed' circumstances, but could simply be the result of something simple causing panic. The lack of any cause being stated, in itself, indicates that the Villas are probably not responsible. And no, I don't want a lifesaver joining me in the spa as a result.
Sadly, genuine accidents happen, although that is never comforting to family or friends, who will forever have a different view to you or I. Perhaps it would be nicer to give the sympathy that is deserved rather than debating the technicalities.
Paul