Aug 22 2008
Drama at the Fishing Pier
I was awakened this AM by a woman screaming. I figured it was someone goofing (which happens) until the words “someone please call for help! He’s trying to kill me!” penetrated my sleepy brain.
I paused just long enough to pull on some pants and rocketed up to the deck. Where as promised, a young woman was running down the fishing pier with an older man in pursuit. He stopped when he saw me with a phone, but she kept screaming. I called 911 and yelled to her that I had. He moved a few steps closer to her, and she climbed over the pier and jumped into the water. Cops came, most of the marina woke up and came to help, we got her out of the water and under a blanket and by that time most of Emeryville’s Finest was here. Response time was probably 2 minutes tops.
Apparently Jason came out just after me and the guy said to him “what is she doing?” Jason answered “getting away from you, apparently”. Heh.
It was really awesome to see how many people came out of their boats not to gawk, but with floats, paddles, hooks… they were coming out of a sound sleep completely prepared with practical means of assistance. And also to beat the tar out of whomever had woken us all up if it wasn’t merited. =) Jeff, who’s just behind us, said “I heard this youthful voice, and thought to myself “My, the Hudsons are up early and loud this morning…”"
So that’s how my day started. I’m peeved that I don’t know any cops in this town so I’ll never know what happened. Was he really wishing her harm? Was she crazy? She was certainly determined to be away from him if jumping into this water before the sun was even all the way up looked like a good idea. I’ll never know.
I‘m just sayin’… Happy once again to have proof of how ‘community’ these Marina folk are.
How crazy! Boy I sure wish there was a way to find out. How wonderful it is to be in a tight knit community–people looking out for people.
You know, my mom has terrible dreams–night frights. One time she was staying with us and she jumped up running and screaming through my house thinking someone was trying to kill her. She was completely asleep and acting on pure instinct. So whenever I hear a story like this, that’s where my mind goes. It took us a while to completely wake my mom up and get her back to bed. She was totally embarrassed, but knew exactly what must have happened. My dad has “rescued” her many, many times.
Wow! What a way to start the day! It’s really fantastic to live in such a community.
I’ve wondered if marinas and piers etc are sketchy places for women to be, sounds like they could be but that boatin people don’t hesitate to help. Interesting, and a dramatic way to start a morning indeed!