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Hon. Hulse Didn't Want To Drown In A Sunken Plane
posted (November 21, 2017)
Minister Godwin Hulse's account is similar - but different - because Hulse, who is an engineer by training - prepared himself for the water landing in a different way. He told us how his main idea was to get out immediately and not drown in a sinking plane. We spoke to him via phone - where he picks up the story at the moment of takeoff:...

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Survived Downed Plane
"And I looked through the window and I saw the vehicle, but I could not imagine that that vehicle would not stop. I did see the vehicle going, but I didn't pay it any attention. So when I heard this huge bang, I could not imagine that it was something we hit and then immediately I knew we would have landed in the sea, because whether that was a hole blown in the bottom or something, we were not in any position to land back on land. I will commend the pilot, because I think he accelerated and the plane continue to rise which was good. I think we went maybe a minute, if not less, and we got to maybe 200-300 feet and then I just notice when the wing dips and I knew his was it. So I braced myself and we hit the water."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"At that point where you fearing for your life?"

Hon. Godwin Hulse
"No, I didn't reached that stage. As it hit I took off my seatbelt and try to scramble for an exit. I think I shouted to every we gotta get out and then there was a guy behind me, I still don't know who he was, but he got the door open and that was good, because my first thought if this plane sinks and we don't get an exit, it would be hard to get out. And then water began to rush in. The plane was taking in water pretty quickly. Anyway I was looking for a life vest. I couldn't find one, but he helped me to get one from under the seat by the door there. By this time I didn't bother to put it on. I was concerned with my glasses, because you know I am blind - I have to wear my glasses and then O got out the plane and somehow I quickly made it to the wing and hang on the wing to get my bearing and looking around I saw the DPM came out. He didn't have a vest, he seemed to be disoriented a little bit, but I had commended this lady Miss Robinson, because like I said she was like really and expert. She began to corral people around including people like myself. Christy Mastry helped the DPM and so we got to the wing and then while we were there, it was a little more stable and then of course that began to go down. By that time we had put on our vest and we were able to have buoyancy."

"We were like a quarter mile out, about 1300-1400 feet from the shore and we were probably were in about 18 feet of water thereabout and when the help came, but this couldn't carry anybody. But just when that was happening a boat was passing and so the boat pulled up and we got onboard the boat and that took us then to shore."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Did you or others panic or fear for their lives?"

Hon. Godwin Hulse
"I was kind of determine not to drown in that plane, as best as I could and that anybody could drown in that plane, because once it went down and it was full of water and we were in there, that would have been a hell of a thing."

"It's good to be alive, I am a people's person, do it's good to be alive."

And while he is happy to be alive, Hulse echoes Faber when he says more has to be done to ensure strict safety measures in the area.

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