Out of tragedy comes hope

The son of a police officer killed during Hurricane Fabian, which hit the island 10 years ago yesterday, this week started university with help from a foundation set up to honour the four victims of the tragedy.

Stephen Symons, 18, who was named after his policeman father, has begun his studies for a psychology degree at the prestigious Philadelphia University after getting a $50,000 grant from the September 5 Foundation.

Young Stephen was aged just eight when PC Stephen Symons was swept to his death from the Causeway along with three other victims. His mom, radio host Sherri Simmons, said: “It’s been really helpful — anyone who has a child in university knows how much it costs. Out of a tragedy came a very wonderful thing — my son’s education.”

The couple — who were divorced when PC Symons was killed with three others when a section of the Causeway was swept away by the storm — had remained close and Ms Simmons said they were committed to raising their son together.

She added: “Also, as these things tend to do, it shaped my son into the very strong person he is today.

“He is very compassionate and I believe it’s because he went through that at such an early age.”

Ms Simmons said: “Stephen and I had been divorced for a number of years, but we had a good relationship and we were co-parenting.”

And she added: “His father was extremely committed and had a very good work ethic — that’s one of the qualities I most definitely see in our son.”

Ms Simmons, who presents a show on Magic FM, said that PC Symons and their son had been on a father/son cruise, but returned early because PC Symons was called back to duty as Fabian bore down on Bermuda. She said: “Stephen was over at his father’s house the weekend before it happened — the last words his father said to him were: “I’m off to work. I love you, I’ll see you when I get back.’

Last time we spoke

“I talked to him just prior to him going to work and I wished him well. I had no idea that was the last time we would speak.”

PC Symons, who was 37, died with PC Nicole O’Connor, 29, and Gladys Saunders, a station support officer and Reserve PC, 48, as they drove over the Causeway. Manuel Pacheco, 23, whose car stalled on the bridge, also died.

Ms Simmons added: “Stephen is a great kid but the first weeks and months afterwards were very rough… it’s day by day, week by week, but over the years he grew into the young man he is now.”

The grant — spread over four years — is dependent on Stephen maintaining a good academic standard. 

September 5 Foundation chairman, former Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith, said: “It’s very rewarding for the Foundation and very rewarding for the companies that helped us out, particularly in the early years.”

He added that young Stephen was the first recipient of a grant as he is the oldest surviving child — but that others will be considered for assistance as they grow up. 

He added: “Four different families were affected and a lot of people like the fact these victims may be gone, but they are not forgotten and something good has come out of it.”