Puerto Morelos, Q.R. — A heavy machine operator from the municipality of Puerto Morelos died after falling into a cenote. The accident happened at a garden nursery in the town of Leona Vicario Sunday.
The backhoe operator was dredging beside the opening to expand a water way when the machine fell into the hole and plunged into the water below. Divers were brought in to locate the operator.
Firefighters and Civil Protection of Solidaridad, Puerto Morelos and Leona Vicario worked more than six hours to rescue the body. The backhoe remains at the bottom of the 10-meter deep cenote.
Local authorities are now concerned about a possible fuel contamination in the region’s water supply since the backhoe remains at the bottom of the cenote.
