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A Family Beach Birthday Celebration Turned Tragic: A Mother’s Grief

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Turks and Caicos, March 7, 2025 – What was meant to be a joyful birthday celebration turned into a devastating tragedy when 44-year-old Vanlyn Shim, also known as “Pie,” was swept away by strong waves while snorkeling.

His mother, Joydie Rankin, along with other family members and eyewitnesses, recounted the harrowing experience to Eagle Legal News and RTC’s Zoya Faessler.

According to the mother and family, Vanlyn was enjoying the waters when a sudden wave pulled him under.  Joydie, witnessing the incident, immediately called emergency services.

While waiting for authorities to arrive, another powerful swell revealed his body in the water.  Eventually, the waves carried him back up. This was some 20 minutes later, where he was unresponsive until the ambulance arrived. ​

In a moment of desperation, Ms. Rankin touched her son’s ankle and miraculously felt a faint pulse.  She urged the emergency responders to rush him to the hospital.

They ​ then pronounced him dead at 2 p.m., his condition took a momentary turn when doctors, at her insistence, checked once more and detected a pulse.

However, despite brief signs of life, he ultimately passed away.

Joydie was forced to endure a grueling 13-hour wait for an air ambulance to transport her son for further treatment, but by then, it was too late. ​

The Tragic Sequence of Events ​ 

Vanlyn’s birthday began as a fun outing at the beach, where he was teaching others how to swim and snorkel.  Panic set in when the individuals he had been instructing made it safely back to shore, but he was nowhere to be found.

It is believed that he suffered a seizure or blacked out, causing him to lose consciousness and drift further out with the tide. ​

His mother, desperate and praying on the shore, spotted him and called out to his brother, 07 who was in the water. Michael, a former police officer of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, attempted to reach him, but another wave pulled him back under.  He said he was so close to him, probably about 5 or 6 feet, and just how he reached for him, the wave grabbed him, and they lost him again.

As he and others frantically searched the water, emergency services were contacted, though some struggled to get through to 911.

After 20 agonizing minutes, his mother and bystanders spotted him again, and a group of people dove in to rescue him. ​ Upon arrival at the hospital, Vanlyn was unconscious, unresponsive, and barely had a pulse.

Doctors initially managed to resuscitate him, but his condition quickly deteriorated.  At one point, medical staff began discussing the need for a transfer to either Jamaica or the Cayman Islands.  His mother preferred the Cayman Islands due to her familiarity with the island as she lived there before coming to Turks and Caicos many years ago and the presence of family.  However, he continued to suffer multiple episodes of losing vital signs—five times in total. ​

In one devastating moment, doctors informed Joydie that her son had passed away.

Distraught, she went in to kiss her child goodbye, and as she did, she felt a pulse on his arm.  Michael, who was in the room, also noticed a pulse in his neck.  Medical staff rushed in and successfully resuscitated Vanlyn once again, but his condition remained critical. ​

The Struggle for Medical Transfer ​ 

Joydie, desperate to expedite the transfer, asked doctors about the referral process.  To her shock, she was told that no action had yet been taken.  Furious but composed, she insisted on immediate action.  However, additional obstacles emerged.  The air ambulance would be unable to land due to a lack of available ground handlers.

Furthermore, delays in the approval process with the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) created further complications.  At one point, officials claimed that Vanlyn did not qualify for the medical transfer—a decision that deeply frustrated his mother. ​

Calls for Accountability ​ 

Eagle Legal News is now investigating potential negligence by both the hospital and NHIP.

Despite her immense grief, Joydie expressed her gratitude that her son’s body was not lost to the sea.  She remains heartbroken but resolute in seeking answers regarding the inefficiencies and apparent negligence that made an already traumatic experience even worse. ​

This incident raises serious concerns about emergency response protocols, medical transfer procedures, and the overall effectiveness of NHIP in handling life-threatening situations. ​

For now, Joydie is left mourning while also considering fighting for justice, hoping that no other family will have to endure the same distressing ordeal. ​

Ms. Rankin and family would love to express public thanks to all who did their endeavor best and assisted them in trying to save her son especially Sharrad ​ Smith, Frankie Virgil and Doug Fenimore. ​

 

Contact: 1-649–3407

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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