Seine Bight teen drowns after baptism ceremony

A Seine Bight teen has drowned following a religious ceremony. On Sunday, the lifeless body of seventeen year old Elmer Melgar was retrieved from the Swasey River near the Waterfall Area of the Stann Creek District. Melgar was administered CPR but never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Southern Regional Hospital. Pastor Byron Boch reported to police that several church members went to the location to be baptized. After the ceremony, Melgar decided to go swimming, but soon began to shout for help and then went under. He was later found lying on the river bottom. Police are investigating.