A RETIRED shop owner from Winton says that South Coast ex-pats and residents trapped in Grenada devastated by Hurricane Ivan have been talking of gangs of machete-wielding locals out on the rampage.

Brian Sadgrove, speaking from a temporary address in Parkstone before he returns home to Grenada, says that he has heard news about at least one local couple - Mike and Kerry Rickson from Poole - who he understands are unharmed by the hurricane and gangs. Mr Sadgrove, 69, has heard that Mr and Mrs Rickson's yacht Duchess is berthed at Spice Island Marina in Grenada but that it has been blown onto its side by the hurricane.

"I understand it is damaged but repairable," said Mr Sadgrove. "I've also been told that the Ricksons are okay. But I'm still waiting for news about a few other friends from this region over in Grenada.

"I don't know if they are sheltering inland or have gone down with their boats.

"There's also talk of gangs of locals wielding machetes on the rampage, looking for food."

Mr Sadgrove lives in Grenada during the winter months on his own boat, which he has been told is still moored exactly where he left it before Ivan hit.

"I can't believe it hasn't been damaged in some way," he said. "That would be a miracle.

"Grenada just isn't set up to deal with hurricanes. Jamaica is - they are used to them. I can't wait to get back there and find out for myself exactly what the damage is and what has happened to the people I know."

First published: Sept 14