Isla Mujeres, Q.R. — A large vessel involved in the death of two tourists Friday has been secured by state officials. The securing of the boat Mr. Tom, was made at the same time as the arrest of its unnamed captain.
The captain of Mr. Tom was taken into police custody Friday by the FGE after two people were killed when the boat’s propellers hit them. The accident happened about eight nautical miles from Isla Mujeres in the area of the sunken ship known as Cañonero C-55.
According to their captain’s testimony, the two men were nearing the end of their first dive and were holding a signaling buoy line to return to the boat when they were hit by another boat’s propellers. They were pulled into the boat and were being transferred for medical attention, however, both died enroute.
According to Andres, the owner of Squalo Adventures, the company used by the two Americans, is reported as saying that while his divers were in the water, another vessel from mainland Cancun arrived to drop off their own divers. Upon doing so, the captain of that vessel ran over the two American divers while they were in the water.
Both were fatally struck on the head. Killed was 67-year-old Tomas S and 64-year-old Evan A, both from Seattle, Washington. Both men are reported to have been experienced divers of more than 20 years.
