An American tourist lost his life and his wife sustained severe injuries in a tragic electrocution incident at a Mexican beach resort earlier this week. This calamity has prompted the family to file a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against the resort operators, according to their lawyers.
Electrocuted in Hot Tub: Incident Details
The incident occurred at the Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, a popular vacation destination roughly an hour south of the U.S. border. The couple, 43-year-old Jorge Guillen and 35-year-old Lizette Zambrano, were enjoying a relaxing evening in the hot tub when the tragedy unfolded.
According to the lawsuit, the couple had just arrived at the resort with several family members for their vacation. Guillen and Zambrano went to the hot tub to watch the sunset over the sea, unaware of the deadly electric current running through the water. As soon as Guillen dipped his foot into the hot tub, he was immediately electrocuted and trapped underwater. In a desperate attempt to save him, Zambrano jumped in but was also electrocuted.
Lawsuit Filed
Zambrano, who survived but was critically injured, filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages against the U.S.-based resort operators, Casago International and High Desert Travel. Filed from her hometown of El Paso, Texas, the lawsuit claims that the resort’s faulty electrical wiring in the hot tub was responsible for Guillen’s death and her severe injuries.
The lawsuit also alleges that the resort management failed to warn guests about the hazards of the hot tub and did not respond swiftly to the emergency. The video footage from the incident shows chaotic scenes as other guests tried to help the couple, only to realize the danger posed by the electrified water. One guest managed to pull Zambrano from the water, but efforts to rescue Guillen with poles and metal tools resulted in more electric shocks to others.
Legal and Corporate Responses
Tej Paranjpe, an attorney at Houston-based PMR Law representing Zambrano, criticized the resort staff for their inaction during the critical moments when Guillen was continuously shocked underwater. He stated that it took ten minutes for the resort workers to respond, and by then, it was too late to save Guillen.
In response to the lawsuit, Jim Ringquist, sales director for Sonoran Resorts Inc., expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He also noted the unexpected death of the company’s CEO, Fernando Anaya, from a heart attack, further compounding the sadness surrounding the situation.
Investigation and Community Reaction
Mexican prosecutors in Sonora are investigating the cause of the electrical failure and plan to conduct field visits in the coming days. They aim to uncover the origin of the malfunction and ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.
A GoFundMe campaign launched to support Zambrano has raised over $55,000 as of June 19. The campaign describes Guillen as having “a heart of gold” and being a pillar of support for his family and friends. “The love they shared was one for ages,” the campaign states.
Hot Tub Electrocutions: Safety and Statistics
Electrocutions in hot tubs, while rare, are not unheard of and typically result from faulty underwater lighting or defective pumps. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission reported 33 involving injuries or deaths in hot tubs, pools, and spas between 2002 and 2018. Last June, a man in Phoenix died from an apparent electrocution while repairing a hot tub in a fitness center.
Experts emphasize the importance of proper maintenance and vigilance to prevent such tragedies. Ensuring that all electrical equipment is properly installed and regularly inspected can significantly reduce the risk of electrocution in recreational water settings.
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