As we told you, the flooding did not cause any deaths in Belize, but it could have when a house dropped and trapped a young boy inside. 9 year-old Earl Gentle Jr., and his family were having a social gathering at his Jasmine Street home when his aunt's house fell on top of him.
Now to be clear, there were a number of factors, which contributed to the unfortunate incident, and the house falling was not caused only by the rain. First, the house is old, and his family knew that it was fragile. It finally gave way during the downpour.
9 year-old Earl suddenly found himself trying to escape the entire weight of the structure. His father explained to us how his son miraculously survived:
Earl Gentle Sr. - Family home fell
"I was inside because of the weather and the rain. I was inside messing with some clothes and a lightning just strike through the house and I heard my old lady say that the house drop. But then I heard my other son crying saying that my little son is underneath the house. The experience, I wouldn't want to go through it again, but God is good. Because my son could have died. I thought that he died and if he didn't die it would be a miracle and only God could help me. Everyone was trying to find out where he was - if he was talking or saying something. They heard him under a corner and everybody came and pull him out. I ask him what went on and he said that he was running because he felt the house falling. He said that he knew he wouldn't make it, so he saw the chair and so he jump by the chair and so comes he is alive. God played a big role. I still could not understand it when we pulled him from that hole."
Daniel Ortiz
"Was the house in any way damaged or is there anything to suggest that it would fall?"
Earl Gentle Sr. - Family home fell
"Well you could have seen that the boards were old. We had already replaced some of them. I was incarcerated and when I came out I saw the house and I told them that the house is not really safe. But they had a little baby shower and the weight of everybody just bring down the house."
Daniel Ortiz
"Have any of the politicians come offering any help to you and your family in trying to get your house replaced?"
Earl Gentle Sr. - Family home fell
"Yes, Mr. Cordel Hyde came and Mr. Mark King came and the next member from the other party, he came too offering assistance saying that he will deal with it as early as possible."
Email
Print