The four bodies were also transported to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. Initial investigations revealed that all five persons were traveling in a gold Geo Prizm car bearing license plate BZC-38571 from Belize City to Belmopan, whereupon reaching Mile 44, they collided into a blue Isuzu D-Max, driven at the time by 56 year old Corrine Abcock, a Canadian National, who was traveling in the opposite direction.

All four bodies have been transported to the Belize City Morgue for a post mortem examination. While investigations continue, Police believe that slippery road conditions and heavy rains may have contributed to the fatal collision.

On Tuesday, April 3rd a snorkeling trip ended in tragedy when two tourists lost their lives while snorkeling at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. As we reported on the incident in our article ‘Two drown in snorkeling accident‘, several questions remained as to whether anyone was at fault and or in fact would be charged for the terrible incident.

American national 54 year old Roger Burger and Italian national Zyihe Florencia both lost their lives that day due to the tragic events. Post mortems were conducted on the bodies on Wednesday April 4th at 1PM where the causes of death were listed as Asphyxia due to drowning.

According to Ms. Sherlet Martinez, Operations Manager for Port Authority; the Port Authority’s initial report indicated that the vessel was undermanned, having only one crew member onboard. This contradicts the Port Authority’s policy requiring that a minimum of two crew members be onboard every water vessel. As a result, the vessel was in violation of Port Authority Laws. Martinez reported that once the report is completed, it will be submitted to the prosecution section where an investigation into further violations of the Port Act will be ascertained. Where there is a clear violation, the boat captain will be taken to court.

While the Meteorological Office of Belize issues daily weather warnings, it appears that the decision on whether or not tides and conditions are safe enough to take tourists out to sea falls on the Tour Operators.

According to the San Pedro Police, information is being compiled into a file which will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), where it will be reviewed and a decision will be made as to whether charges will be levied.

The Belize Tourism Board is working in collaboration with the Tourism Police Unit to get to the bottom of the matter, however the investigations into the circumstances that led to the fatalities are still ongoing, after which a release will be made.

Canadian found dead in SP

In regards to the death of 51 year old Jan Peter Sol, a Canadian National vacationing in the country, the case has been closed. According to San Pedro Police, Dr. Estradaban, Chief Pathologists ruled out any suspicion of foul play.

A closer inspection revealed that the rear tires and axel of the trailer broker off. The trailer was on its normal route delivering cargo to different establishments within the downtown area. Luckily no one was injured. However the incident caused traffic flow to slow down and diverted during one of the busiest time of the day.

In speaking with Dr. Laurenzco Nicholson, it appeared that Cabañas had intracranial damages possible due to a “traumatic” blow to the head. Dr. Nicholson explained that they attempted to stabilize Cabañas but his condition became critical. Once in Belize City at KHMH a CAT-scan was performed in which it was determined that he had “epidural hematoma” (a traumatic accumulation of blood between the inner layer of the skull and dural membrane).  Because of the severity of his injury, Cabañas underwent surgery where he remains listed in critical condition.

According to Sergeant Basil Reyes of the San Pedro Police Station, on the given date Cabañas was involved in several brawls which could have contributed to his injuries. However, because Cabañas has been unconscious, the police have been unable to obtain an official statement. When asked if the Police have been in contact with the family, Reyes explained that the Police have been in constant communication with the family. Reyes further stated that the bits and pieces of information the Police have received so far is information the family have given to police. Family members of Cabañas told Police that he was hit in the head with a bottle and was left abandoned in an alley in the Boca del Rio Area. According to Police, the family has been unable to say who hit Cabañas.

Cabañas, who is known to police as a substance abuser, is in the intensive care unit at the KHMH in critical condition. All attempts to speak with family members regarding Cabaña’s prognosis have been futile.

The San Pedro Sun understands that the driver of the cart had just parked and was inside the store picking up some supplies. The incident occurred so fast that nothing could have been done to prevent the container from falling over the cart. Luckily no one was hurt in the freak incident.

According to Julie Putnam of Island Pool Supply, some merchandise was damaged, but everyone is really thankful that no one was hurt. According to the Police, the driver of the cart has visited the San Pedro Police Department where he has given a statement. While the cart was ensured, The SP Sun understands that the container, with license plate BZE A2018, was not insured. SP Police say that because the nature of the incident is slightly different than a road traffic accident, the incident would have to be settled through a civil suit in the court.

Miguel Alamilla, manager at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, who was at Shark Ray Alley at the time spoke with The San Pedro Sun and recapped his experience.

“I received a call from the rangers that an incident had been reported. The report was that four individuals (in fact it was seven) went missing during a snorkeling tour in the Hol Chan area. So we responded to that. Once at the site we discovered that three of the snorkelers had made it back to the boat while the boat captain/tour guide had remained to search for the four that had drifted. We managed to pick up the guide, Marcel Graniel who was close to the reef crest. This was after 12pm. I think this incident happened around 11:45am. He told us that there were four people stranded. We were trying to locate the people. Several hundred meters south of where we picked up the tour guide, we spotted two individuals.  By the time we got to them, the waves had pushed the gentleman inside the reef. There was a lady still outside the reef in a very panicked state. I took the man’s snorkel gear and I jumped in, swam out and brought her in. She was in an extreme panicked state. When we pulled them in, the man and the lady, they told us that the others were dead. The gentleman, he had his wife’s wedding ring on his hand. We put them in another patrol boat and we sent them to the PolyClinic. There were two still missing. We decided to send all five to the PolyClinic to receive medical attention.”

Alamilla informed that the HCMR personnel continued their search and around 1PM a Caye Caulker vessel spotted the first body floating along the inside of the reef between Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley. Almost an hour later, at about 2PM, HCMR personnel found the second body floating close to the reef in the same vicinity where the first was found.

According to Dr. Noeli Nicholson, around 12:40PM, the five tourists arrived at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II accompanied by a Hol Chan Marine Ranger. They appeared to have received multiple abrasions and were very shaken up. It is understood that they mentioned to authorities that their tour guide kept taking them into the channel at Hol Chan and they started to get separated because of the strength of the waves that were pushing them into the reef. The husband recollected that he and his wife became separated from the group around 11:30AM.

The five surviving tourists were later identified as Americans 54-year-old Mrs. Rebecca Burger and 17-year-old son Zach Burger, Canadians 25-year-old Lawrence Tastet and 29-year-old Yanik Doyon and Italian 59-year-old Mr. David Florencia.

The bodies were transported to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Poly Clinic II where they were officially declared dead on arrival. The bodies were identified by family members who were at the clinic.

The boat captain, Marcel Graniel was detained for questioning at the San Pedro Police Station and the vessel was impounded pending the outcome of an investigation. The bodies of Burger and Florencia were transported to KHMH for a post mortem examination.

It has been confirmed that none of the snorkelers were wearing life vests and it is not clear if the guide was towing a life ring, which is a common practice with many snorkel guides. Although guides can offer life vests to their guests before getting into the water, it is only required by law that the boats have adequate vests on board and snorkelers are not mandated to wear them. It has also been determined that at the time water conditions in the area were quite turbulent.

The tragic incident also raises questions as to what exactly are the rules and regulations regarding boat captains and tour guides operating at sea. To better understand these regulations The San Pedro Sun contacted many reputable tour operators in San Pedro as well as HCMR manager Miguel Alamilla. It was confirmed that regulations stipulate that there is a ratio of one guide per every eight tourists providing that they are doing the same aquatic activity. However at no time is it required that a person remain on board the vessel while it is anchored, such as the case at HCMR.

The San Pedro Sun is deeply saddened by this tragic news and we extend heartfelt condolences to the families and friends who mourn the loss of their loved ones.

According to Dr. Noeli Nicholson, around 12:40pm, five tourists arrived at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II accompanied by a Hol Chan Marine Ranger. They appeared to have received multiple scratches and were visibly shaken.

Further investigations revealed that the tourists left for Hol Chan with Caye Caulker based Tsunami Tours, which is owned by longtime Caye Caulker resident and Canadian national Heather Martin. They mentioned that the tour guide kept taking them into the channel at Hol Chan and they started to get separated because of the strength of the waves that were pushing them into the reef. Dr. Nicholson informed The San Pedro Sun that the husband stated that he and his wife became separated from the group around 11:30am.

Around 1:45pm, a private boat CC-0021, arrived with the female casualty at the dock in front of BC’s. Dr. Nicholson was called to pronounce the death of the woman, whose name is being withheld. Around 2:45pm a second (unidentified) body was brought in by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve boat. The body was taken to the PolyClinic.

The survivors were also taken to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez PolyClinic II and treated for multiple abrasions and bruises which were sustained from the reef. The husband of the first casualty is currently under observation as he suffers from a heart condition. The tour guide was detained by police where a statement was issued. The investigation continues into this case. The San Pedro Sun will keep you updated as information becomes available.

According to the Belize Port Authority Acosta was the only person on board the vessel namely MV Cristy when he crashed into a pier in the vicinity between Palapa Bar and Boca Del Rio along the eastern coast of San Pedro. According to the Authority’s preliminary report, it indicates that “Captain Acosta may have been operating the vessel under the influence and this may have been the cause for the incident.” For that reason the Belize Port Authority is reminding all mariners of the importance of “Safety of Life at Sea” and a zero tolerance for “Boating under the influence in Belize.”

As a result of the incident, Acosta was taken to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. According to Dr. Javier Zuniga, Acosta was observed with minimal external injuries and only had skin abrasions. However, Zuniga explained that Acosta presented signs of possible internal organ rupture or bleeding as he had severe abdominal pain and blood was present in his urine. As such he had to be taken for further medical attention to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The Belize Port Authority is continuing with its investigation.

According to reports, Castellanos was travelling in a southerly to northerly direction when he lost control of the vehicle, slammed into an electrical post and flipped twice to the other side of the road. When officers from the South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch responded, they found the vehicle with its tires in the air and the driver trapped inside the pickup truck. With the help of passersby, the vehicle was flipped back on its wheels and the driver taken out.

Castellanos was taken to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II for treatment. According to Dr. Javier Zuniga, a bloody Castellanos was observed with bruises to the face and laceration in the nasal area, which is believed to have happened when Castellanos head slammed into the steering wheel of the vehicle he was driving. Dr Zuniga explained after conducting an x-ray, the only trauma observed was to the nasal bridge. Castellanos received treatment, was stabilized and released shortly after.

It is uncertain what contributed to the accident as San Pedro Police is conducting their investigation. As for the vehicle, it received extensive damages and was insured.

While the extent of damage to the boats is unknown at this time, the collision injured two of the four American tourists on board 18 Degrees North. The injured people were taken to the Los Pinos Clinic for medical attention. According to the BPA, one female passenger sustained injuries to the face and three of her teeth were knocked out as a result of the impact. Her husband, on the other hand, received injuries to the knee and hip. When The San Pedro Sun arrived at the clinic, the injured woman was seen wearing a neck brace when leaving the clinic.

Preliminary report is that both vessels, 25 feet in size, were travelling in opposite directions when they collide some 500 feet from the shoreline. Thanks A Lot Two was being captained by Kebin Pech while 18 Degrees North was captained by Ernesto Bernadez. The boat licenses from both captains are being withheld while the vessels are under detention pending the outcome of the BPA’s investigation.

According to Dr. Nicholson, the patient was brought to the PolyClinic by bystanders. Upon arrival, the patient was in an unconscious, unresponsive state and appeared to be intoxicated. He was suffering from head injuries caused by his fall.

Investigations reveal that the victim, 48-year-old Honduran national Jose Roberto Lazo, was riding his bike at the south end of the island, heading north, when he was knocked down by a white Jeep Liberty driven by Maribel Marin. Marin, a resident of Mosquito Coast reported to police that on Monday, January 16th, at around 7:30PM, she was driving along Seagrape Drive heading south just beyond the entrance to Escalante Subdivision, when a male person riding in the opposite direction [northbound], collided into the front part of her vehicle. It was observed that he had been having mechanical difficulty with the bicycle he was traveling on.

Passing motorists assisted the man, who was bleeding profusely from the back of the head, and drove him to the PolyClinic II. Lazo was airlifted by Tropic Air where he remains in a coma in the intensive care unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.

Marin was taken to the San Pedro Police Station where her statement was recorded and her vehicle examined, then impounded awaiting an inspection by the motor vehicle inspector. Police have served Marin with a Notice of Intended Prosecution pending investigations – with an outline of charges including “driving without due care and attention” and “without reasonable consideration for other road users”. Based on the gravity of the injuries to the victim, SP Police may decide to add on more charges.

Fire Officials in San Pedro Town are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire that occurred late in the night of Tuesday December 20th. The fire partially destroyed the thatch roof of Robin’s Kitchen situated at the western end of Coconut Drive opposite Royal Palms Resort.

According to Luis Romero, he another person was driving nearby sometime before 11PM when they saw flames coming from the on top of the roof. They quickly requested the assistance of establishments in the area and managed to get two hoses and began fighting the fire until the fire officials were notified.

Fire officials responded shortly after and fortunately, the fire was brought under control salvaging part of the structure and the contents inside. Robin’s Kitchen is owned by John Harvey (aka Robin). Both the San Pedro Police and Fire Departments are investigating the possible cause of the fire. The total cost of damages is yet to be established.