By Admin. Updated 10:55 p.m., Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
On 21 September, neither Kishorn Pope nor Gabriel Smart knew if they would live to see another day.
Kishorn Pope, 14, was fishing with a companion when his line became entangled on a rock. He bent down to release the line when a large wave struck, sweeping him into the waters where the Atlantic Ocean meets the eastern shorelines of mainland St. Vincent, in an area known as San Souci.
He recalls that initially, he panicked in the water, but then remembered advice he had received earlier: if ever in difficulty in the water, he should free himself rather than panic.
He ended up floating, a technique that helps prevent drowning or sinking. He also suffered a minor foot injury after being swept off the rock by the large wave.
His friend stood helplessly for a moment, witnessing the incident and realising his limitations, as he could not swim to save Mr. Pope. But Mr. Pope was floating, and fate was working in his favour.
His friend and villagers alerted Mr. Gabriel Smart, a member of the San Souci community, about Mr. Pope’s troubles. Mr. Smart had conducted rescues on at least three previous occasions and answered the call of duty.
Others contacted the SVG Coast Guard.
Mr. Smart said he witnessed water coming from Mr. Pope’s mouth several times and had to brave the rough waters, using techniques to lift Mr. Pope’s head out of the water while keeping both balanced despite the tide and currents.
He recalled crying out to God for help amid the rough conditions. “Me say, oh, God, well, please help me. And God touch me, you know,” he told One News SVG in an interview.
This difficult ordeal in the rough Atlantic Ocean lasted until the SVG Coast Guard arrived.
A brave act at sea became a moment of gratitude on land.
After the rescue, both were hospitalized for observation and later discharged. They later returned to their home village San Souci to take a “cheers to life” photograph.
Mr. Smart’s advice to those who go near the sea is to be careful.
Kishorn Pope, the survivor, expressed his gratitude to Mr. Smart during a One News SVG interview, also thanking members of the community and the SVG Coast Guard.
Here is the full interview on One News SVG.
The State-run Agency for Public Information (API) said: “The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines through the Department of Fisheries will formally recognize Mr. Gabriel Smart for his extraordinary act of bravery in saving the life of Mr. Kishorn Pope, a young man who was in distress while swimming off the coast of San Souci on Sunday, September 21, 2025”.
The API reported that, “In an official presentation” at his residence in San Souci, Minister of Fisheries Hon. Saboto Caesar, Parliamentary Representative for South Central Windward, presented Mr. Smart with a commendation certificate, along with a voucher for the purchasing of swimming and diving equipment to support his continued passion for the sea.
Calls were also made by the opposition candidate in South Central Windward some honor to be conferred upon Mr. Smart for his acts of bravery and community service.
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One News SVG 