Here is my story
While on a vacation in the Dominican Republic with my family, my son Adam, 11 yrs old died while on a dangerous Jeep Safari tour sold by Alegria Tours s.a., licensed by Jack Tar/Occidental.
The tour was to travel the countryside and finish at the highlight of the tour which involves climbing and jumping off waterfalls at Damajagua. I wanted my 3 children to experience how 3rd world children live so they could appreciate what they have.
The tour was advertised as being fun and safe for children by a licensed operator !
The first river was waist high with a strong current. Groups of 5 held hands with the instructor. ( later web site videos show this river shin high)
It was a 20 minute walk into the jungle to get to the first water fall.
The second and last waterfall we swam below was very turbulent, it had rained on a daily basis over the last 14 days. My son Adam was next in line to sail downstream with the current with a smile on his face only to be sucked in under water. He was a strong swimmer. My second son, a 13 yr old made it through just after Adam.
I hollered to the instructors to rescue Adam but they spent many minutes arguing with each other.
The brave lady who jumped in said she felt the undertow pull her under. She touched Adam but was worried about her own life. Eventually his body was pulled out and attempts to resuscitate him by other tourists failed.
We then had to make the long 20 min journey back to the parking lot, over barbed wire fences, my dead son on a stretcher.
The ambulance transported my son to the hospital and my wife and I were driven in one of the tour trucks to the hospital.
We were immediately met at the hospital by the tour operator lawyer who said he was there to help us through things like this. I was immediately suspicious. I know he was there to cause interference.
He took me to the police station for questioning. The power was off at the police station, I did not know where I was , walking down long dark hallways, until we came into a dark room with 2 candles.
They did not ask me any questions and the lawyer did all the talking to the so-called officer, It was in spanish.
The lawyer said we could go back to the hospital and said I was lucky to have him there because he said the officer wanted to keep me there for questioning all night so he told him it was only an accident. A few days later the police report indicated that Adam died while in a swimming accident with his father ,failing to mention anything about the tour.. A total lie.
I then commenced my own crusade. Can you believe that the day after Adam's death ,that very same tour was being sold and still being advertised as being safe for children by Alegria and other operators, ( many of the adults in our group had difficulty battling the currents)
I have video footage of my discussions with these tour operators telling me the tours were safe. Also,I intercepted many families with kids warning them of these tours. One family told me they were just told the waterfalls were safe for their 6 yr old son who could not swim. I immediately tracked down that tour operator and gave him some unkind words
Later , a local Domincan, and a reliable source told me there have been many broken bones on these tours in the past, and reluctantly told me there were a few deaths. How long has this cover up been occuring?
Some companies do not go the Damajagua.
I have been in close contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa and the Canadian Embassy in Santo Domingo.The Embassy has already issued a Canada Wide Travel advisory on their web site and have notified all tour companies throughout Canada. They are investigating the matter themselves and were surprised when I told them the name of the tour company who was licensed by Occidental, the owners of Jack Tar.
They said they will try to shut down the tours, however they think that the Economic incentives will outweigh safety. At minimum they plan on improving the safety of these tours and possibly get funding and implement the program in honor of Adam's name.
Money is being poured into these resorts, someone is making money, but why all ther poverty outside . Why can't money be diverted to improving health and safety, and way of living.
I indicated I wanted to be a part of that program.
I am on an awareness mission and will do whatever it takes to do it. The Embassy encouraged me to do so.
We have started a sports scholorship in Adam's name to support underpriviledeged children.
I beleive Adam's death has already saved a few lives.
I have been talking to W5, fifth estate etc and hope to get the message out.
