Three family members drown in N. Stann Creek
We live in a country with one hundred and seventy-five miles of coastline and scores of rivers, creeks and lagoons. With all this inviting water it’s no surprise that Belizeans, particularly at this time ofyear, love to refresh themselves by bathing at their favourite beach. But swimming has always been synonymous with danger and over the weekend the Stann Creek District was the scene of yet another tragedy, one which claimed the lives of three members of one family. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods is just in with the story.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
It was once used as a Sand Pit that over the past nine years has become a popular bathing ground for residents of the New Site Area in Dangriga but on Sunday, the inviting waters claimed their first victims. Twenty-six-year-old Benedicta Valerio, her seven-year-old son Detrell Valerio, and eight-year-old niece Kenya Noralez.
Consi Valerio, Grieving Family Member
?It?s very hard…I am trying to be strong. This is how the good Lord wanted it.?
Consi Valerio says it is not the first time that her sister, daughter and nephew had been to the area so she had no reason to worry when the three set out sometime after two on Sunday afternoon to go and swim in the river. Reports are that Valerio was sitting on the riverbank while the children were in the water playing with a ball when it drifted away. The children, who were in shallow water tried to retrieve the ball when they suddenly fell into a deep hole. Valerio, who cannot swim, saw the children struggling in the water and ran to rescue them but she too soon fell into the deep water and started screaming for help. Desmond Ramos, who was on the river bank, says he tried to help his long time friend and save the children but there was nothing he could have done.
Desmond Ramos, Friend
?I was scared. I didn?t know what to do. I was trying to save her. I don?t know what I could have done. At that point in time, I just ran for my phone and called 911 and informed the authorities. There was nothing else for me to do.?
Consi Valerio
?She usually brings them to come swim here. I don?t usually come because I am afraid of the water. She always brings them here and the river usually looks shallow. But Sunday everything changed, you know.?
A search was launched but it would take some forty-five minutes before the children and their family member would be found.
Efrain Aranda, Diver/Area Resident
?We started to hunt the edge of the river there and we couldn?t find them in the rest of the river. I just asked a person where the family was and they said over there. He told us that the people are in the hole and the guys who searched before said they had already checked there and didn?t find anything. When I went alone, I checked in the hole and when I checked there, I found the little girl sitting down under the water and little area away right on the edge of the hole, I found the woman. I just told them to grab the little girl and go back for the lady because I was already nervous. I just got out of the water and I gone home.?
Both Young Valerio and Norales were rushed to the Southern Regional Hospital but could not revived. Today area residents remain in shock.
Tanya Gamboa , Area Resident
?I think they should try and put up some signs especially on that side or just make people stop using the area because this was too tragic.?
Jeinen Bernadez, Area Resident
?I use to always bring my kids and sit down and bathe here. I won?t stop come bathe here though. I will still bring my kids back and let them bathe on the shallow part because I love the river. Everybody love the river back here and we would usually come out here on Sundays or so to chill and watch our kids enjoy themselves. But we are supposed to be more careful when watching our kids and enjoy ourselves on a Saturdays or Sundays.?
Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
