Texas Teen Dies After Mexican Boat Accident Off Cancun

[banzoomba]

CANCUN, Mexico — An 18-year-old Texas high school student, injured when a snorkeling tour boat began sinking near Cancun, died on Tuesday, authorities in Texas reported.

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[MWC]

That is so sad. I always felt as though we were taking our lives in our hands when we would take the "locals" ferry between Puerto Juarez and Isla. Yet here I am to write about it.

Even when we did that years ago, that stretch of water seemed very busy -- and I doubt it hasn't become anything but busier. Couldn't help vessels get there quickly?

[OregonDeb]

very sad and scarey. I knew there was a reason I never liked going out in a vessel here.

[Libby]

I found a lot more information about this incident in these 2 articles published in Mexican newspapers. In Spanish of course.

Canc?n: Confirman en Dallas muerte de la turista Lisa Thang Chung por lesiones del naufragio en Canc?n
Canc?n: Investigan posible informaci?n falsa de la tripulaci?n del "Sea Star"

The articles say that the boat did not actually sink. It started taking on water and tipped over at the back end (the aft). This may have been exacerbated by all the passengers running to the back of the boat to exit when the water starting coming on. Apparently, there were other exits but they weren't clearly marked or the staff didn't direct people there.

It sounds like there may have been insufficient staff to handle an emergency and that perhaps the staff on board either didn't know what to do or didn't handle it well. They did hand out life jackets. According to passenger reports the crew jumped into the water first and the passengers followed suit.

This young girl put on her life jacket and jumped just like everyone else. Only when she jumped, a rescue boat just happened to be whizzing by and hit her.

The boat is currently dry docked at Isla Mujeres and will be inspected by engineers from Mexico City. The actions of the captain and crew are also under investigation.

[Andy&Jen]

So very sad

[Cosmo]

It's all over the local news, so very sad. Good thoughts for all involved.

[TAPPY]

That is so sad.
You know you want to protect your kids - but you cant keep them safe all of the time and make them live in your safe little word.
My daughter went on a jet ski outing with friends today and all I could think about was this, and all the what ifs.

[lovbuds]

That is so, so sad ... what a tragedy!