A family of seven almost lost their lives after they were trapped by the raging waters of a swollen river at Bottom River, Content Trace, Mason Hall, Tobago.

Fire officials said the only adult in the group, 25-year-old Lennox Roberts, and six children, Joash Gun, nine, Jaynelle Gun, 12, Jevern Gun, 10, Jaclon Gun, 10, Jarren Gun, 14, and Lenisha Gun, three, who went to the river, became stranded after the river came down just after 2.10 p.m.

They were eventually rescued after a makeshift bridge made out of bamboo was built to take them to safety.

The operation was described by Fire Officer Caleb Phillips, who is in charge of the Scarborough Fire Station, as the biggest rescue launched for the year. Vonrick Olivierre assisted officials in getting the family of seven to dry land.

’I was home and I heard the sirens, not knowing six children and one adult were trapped over the river. All I could have done when fire officials came was to assist and give some water. That’s all I could do,’ Olivierre told the Express.

Two dogs were also rescued in the process.

Olivierre said the river was swollen within minutes of the heavy rains in the area, but he said he was satisfied with the response of Scarborough Fire Officials, who arrived on the scene within minutes of receiving the distress call. Operations were spearheaded by Acting Divisional Fire Officer Denzil Sandy.

’So far, I felt the response of the fire officials was good, it was very quick,’ Ollivierre said.

Fire officials of the Land Search and Rescue Unit of the Fire Service carried out the entire operation, which was deemed 100 per cent successful.

Olivierre was also commended for opening up his home to ensure the family were safe. According to NEMA, there were no reports of flooding or landslides in Tobago despite yesterday’s heavy rains.