Three young men tragically lost their lives by drowning in the Caloosahatchee River near Franklin Lock in Alva, Florida on Saturday, May 18, 2024 – a day that was supposed to be filled with relaxation and enjoyment.
The victims were identified as Pedro Miguel Pascual, 21, Victor Pedro-Gaspar, 19, and Santos Tiul-Chen, 17, who had attended a youth church event. Following the event, they decided to swim in the river, oblivious to the impending danger.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reports that Tiul-Chen, who was not a proficient swimmer, entered the water and immediately began to struggle. Pascual promptly entered the water to assist him, but he also started to struggle.
In a courageous effort to save his friends, Pedro-Gaspar entered the water. Tragically, all three men submerged and did not re-emerge. A fourth person, who also attempted to help, managed to return to shore and was taken to the hospital.
“It’s incredibly sad. We can’t come to terms with it… everyone is struggling, especially the families. Imagine seeing your son leave in the morning and never return. It’s really hard to accept. We still can’t believe it’s real,” stated Neyda Velasquez, a close friend of the victims.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has marked the Franklin Lock area with signs warning against swimming, wading, snorkeling, or scuba diving due to the inherent dangers. Despite these warnings, the young men entered the water, resulting in a tragic end. In response to this incident, the park has reopened with additional signs in English and Spanish, and increased patrols by rangers and volunteers to ensure safety.
Mike Ritter, a local resident who frequently visits the park, highlighted the importance of reading and following warnings. “I think that it is probably wise to pay attention to the signs in the area and kind of heed the warning for whatever the reasons are,” he said.
The investigation pointed to Tiul-Chen’s lack of swimming skills as a factor in the initial struggle, which quickly escalated as his friends tried to rescue him. The water in the area is approximately 10 feet deep, further complicating the rescue efforts.
“It’s a boat access point, so there are always boats coming and going. The sign clearly says no swimming. We just come here to fish and stick to that,” added Ritter.
Florida ranks second among all U.S. states in child drowning deaths for ages one to four, and fifth overall for drowning incidents across all age groups. This incident underscores the crucial need for awareness of water safety and adherence to safety guidelines in potentially hazardous areas.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the Franklin Lock and the adjacent recreation area, has taken measures to prevent similar incidents. Besides the new signage and increased patrols, they stress the necessity for visitors to wear life jackets and be cognizant of the risks involved in swimming in natural water bodies.
As of the latest update on May 22, swimming has been prohibited at the location on the Caloosahatchee River near Franklin Lock in Florida, following the tragic drowning of the three young men.
The community continues to grapple with the loss of these young lives, and memorial services have been organized by the church to honor the victims. “They were kind young men devoted to the work of our Lord Jesus,” Velasquez said, reflecting on their significant contributions to their community.
