PEOPLE who lead hikes should be trained and qualified, said Captain Vallence Rambharath, head of the Hunters Search and Rescue Team talking to Newsday on December 12.

He was reacting to news of the tragic death of hiker Jessica Jordan, 41, of St Madeleine, who drowned when she slipped and her legs were caught between logs underwater in a rapidly rising waters at Madamas River on January 10. Reports were simply that she was among a group of eight hikers but did not say she was within a stated hiking group.

Rambharath said his group highly recommended the sport of hiking but offered precautions.