‘Crocodile Dundee’ - Riverton rescuer risks it all in crocodile-infested waters

Christopher Irvin is Riverton Meadows' own 'Crocodile Dundee'. For approximately two decades, the 45-year-old has been braving the reptile-infested Sandy Gully to carry out recovery and rescue missions.

Looking out at the garbage-filled gully, Irvin said setting foot into the crocodile haven is not for the faint of heart.

"About 20 years mi a draw out body or save people out of Sandy Gully," he told THE STAR.

He said it is never a pretty sight or a good feeling to recover a dead body, adding that the conditions are often unpleasant, but someone has to remove them from the river. He said he has retrieved several bodies and rescued countless people, sometimes diving for them himself.

"A couple body well mi take out of the river, or dive go fah, and mi can't even count the amount of persons mi save," he said.

Irvin recalled saving a child at Hellshire who was on the brink of death, bringing her back to life after administering chest compressions, noting that he is trained in CPR. He also spoke of rescuing a man at the Waterfront who had jumped, saying the man expelled a large amount of froth onto him during the rescue.

"A nuh everybody who mi save come back come tell mi thanks but that is okay as well," he said.

Irvin said while some drowning incidents are unavoidable, he is urging the public to be extremely careful when venturing into deep waters.

"Thing is yuh just have to be careful out there, and panic sometimes cause a lot of people to kick the bucket," he said. "If yuh can't swim, don't take on water that yuh can't manage, and don't go in any water a try save animal or dem tings deh," he added.

Although widely hailed as a hero in his community, Irvin says his efforts have never been recognised on a national level.

Speaking with THE STAR, Irvin said he is not seeking financial compensation for the dangerous work he undertakes, but would welcome proper protective gear to carry out his rescues more safely.

"Unfortunately, things happen and people a guh drown and dem people a guh always want dem body to bury," he reasoned.

"So mi would like some protective gears. Whe mi do very risky, enuh, because while other divers will go sea and ting, mi a go which part predator like crocodiles deh," he said.

Irvin noted that while he once received an award in Waterhouse for his bravery, he has never been formally acknowledged by the government. Despite this, he remains committed to putting his life on the line to help others.

"Mi get an award in Waterhouse for mi bravery before, but I have never get recognised by the government. But, mi still go out there and risk mi life to save others. Every time mi see someone in the water like dem a go drown, mi think about my family dem," he said.

He added that while he does not receive much public recognition, he would also appreciate support for his farming efforts, as he raises animals to sustain himself.

"Everybody in mi community call mi hero, because yuh have to be really brave to take on dis job. Each time mi jump in the water to save somebody or draw out a body, mi don't know if mi gonna come out because any card can play, but mi still a guh do it," Irvin added.

While he has no formal training as a lifeguard or diver,Irvin said he learnt to swim in dangerous waters under the guidance of a late friend. He insists, however, that crocodiles are a constant presence in the gully.

No crocodiles were visibly seen during THE STAR team's visit to a section near the Duhaney River that runs through Riverton Meadows. Irvin, however, maintained that the reptiles are always nearby.

"A nuff time mi a go fi body and buck up inna the crocodile dem, and some a the time mi have to take away miself like lightening. Sometimes when dem deh too close to mi, Mi have to just beat the water with mi hand and dem will turn back," he said.

He said he has never been attacked, but that crocodiles are abundant in the river. He added that they often come out onto the banks, sometimes dragging away animals such as chickens, or even crossing pathways as if they were humans.

Irvin grew sombre as he recalled one of the most painful incidents--the day the Duhaney River claimed the lives of three young boys. The boys were among a group of five from Tower Hill, Olympic Gardens, who had gone to the river near the Riverton Landfill to swim.

"The three little boys whe drown on November, 28, 2009 mi will never forget dem. It was my birthday and it wasnt a pretty sight," he said.

He said the boys were from Waterhouse, and their bodies were eventually carried down to the Riverton section of the gully. After putting on his goggles and diving in, he found two of them clinging to each other. He described the sight as deeply distressing.

He said the third child was lodged beneath bushes and was difficult to retrieve. He recalled that the boy's father had pleaded with him to find and recover the body so he could be given a proper burial.

When he eventually located the child, he said the grieving father could only offer thanks, explaining that he had nothing else to give, which he accepted.

He also recalled another tragic incident involving the recovery of a senior citizen. He said the woman had been washed away, and when he located her body, it was lying beside a crocodile. He explained that he quickly retreated to get help, and with assistance, they were able to drive the animal away and retrieve her body.

He added that her family members later visited him at home and gave him a suit and shoes, which he wore to her funeral, noting that he was moved by her death.