It was many years ago that the villagers of Downstream recall spotting the first body in the river.  Some old timers remember how spartan were the facilities and procedures for managing that sort of thing. Sometimes, they say, it would take hours to pull 10 people from the river, and even then only a few would survive.
The number of victims has increased greatly in recent years. Yet, the good folks of Downstream have responded admirably to the challenge. Their rescue system is clearly second to none. Most people discovered in the swirling waters are reached within 10 minutes...many in less than 5 minutes. Only a small number drown each day before help arrives. A big improvement from the way it used to be.
Talk to the people of Downstream, and they'll speak with pride about:
- Their fleet of ambulances to race victims to the new hospital
- Their communications control complex
- Their flotilla of rescue boats ready for service at a moment's notice
- Their comprehensive health plan for coordinating all the manpower involved in the rescue system
- The large number of highly trained and dedicated swimmers...always ready to risk their lives to save victims from the raging currents
Sure it costs a lot, but say the Downstreamers, "What else can decent people do except to provide whatever is necessary when human lives are at stake?" Oh, a few people in Downstream have raised the question now and again, but most folks show little interest in what's happening Upstream. It seems there's so much to do to help those in the river that nobody's got time to check how those bodies are getting there in the first place. That's the way things are sometimes.
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