Monkey Bay Resort sued over U.S. student’s drowning

A family in the U.S. is suing a local organization over the drowning death of their son. Back in February 2016, fourteen year old Tomari Jackson of Georgia, U.S.A., was in Belize with more than thirty other students – all teens – for a “study abroad learning service” school trip at Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Whilst swimming with his classmates in the Sibun River, Jackson, who was wearing his camera, drowned. The camera that was attached to his body is reported to have captured his final moments as he drowned. Jackson’s mother is now suing the Cobb County School System, the chaperones and the Wildlife Sanctuary because the camera shows that Jackson’s drowning could have been prevented. Jackson’s mother spoke exclusively with ABC News on Thursday. We take a look at that interview and why the parent says she is speaking out:

[ABC Feature]

In an email to the media earlier this week, Matthew Miller of the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary said that they have been providing environmental education centre for twenty three years and that they are very compassionate about their work. The statement goes on to say, “We are in good standing with all local licensing and regulatory agencies, and actively maintain and rehearse safety and security procedures on a recurring basis. Immediately following Tomari’s accident, Monkey Bay directors reached out and communicated with Tomari’s family and witnessed to his mother Adell what had happened at the Sibun River.”