Cozumel, Q.R. — Elements of Civil Protection attended the scene of a near-drowning over the weekend after two men were pulled from Cozumel waters. The incident happened on Saturday when the men, who were tourists to the area, were swimming and swept out to sea.
Despite restrictions, they entered the water when both began to experience trouble swimming. On-duty lifeguards were able to rescue both after being swept out by currents. Emergency 911 received the call for help around 5:30 p.m.
Civil Protection and elements of the National Guard arrived at Playa Chen Río. Lifeguards applied first aid while they waited for an ambulance. Both men were transferred to hospital. One has been released while the other, 20-year-old Álvaro D, was held for observation.
Denis Méndez, lifeguard head, said that another man, a 53-year-old, was also rescued from the sea after being swept out by the strong currents. He was pulled from the water by fishermen approximately 100 meters from shore. Méndez mentioned that in both cases, beach closure restrictions were in force due to the current health emergency, measures, he says, that were not followed by the visitors.
