Akumal, Q.R. — A 56-year-old man was pronounced dead on arrival at a Tulum hospital Sunday. The man, a tourist from France, died by drowning off a Riviera Maya beach early Sunday morning.
The man’s wife heard him cry for help while being dragged out to sea. The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. Hotel lifeguards, along with three people from the beach, were able to reach him and return him to the sand where CPR efforts were applied while they waited for an ambulance.
The unnamed French tourist was rushed to a private hospital in Tulum alive but on consciousness. He was pronounced DOA (dead on arrival). The man was swept out to sea by the strong current and winds.
The man and his wife were guests at a Riviera Maya hotel located near the sea side town of Akumal. They had arrived to spend the holidays in the area.
Strong winds have plagued the region for nearly a week due to unstable winter weather. The sea has often been off limits to small boats and swimmers due to the strong winds that continue to create large sea swells.
