A resident of the Stann Creek District drowned while on the job earlier today.
Eighteen-year-old Juan Carlos Avendano was a part of a group of five men that were working on a water pipe in the lagoon area near the Placencia Hotel.
Avendano’s co-workers told police that they got into the water that was shallow at first and began to walk towards the pipe.
Upon getting further, the water got deeper and the men say their supervisor told them not to go further if they can’t swim.
While the men were coming back Avendano slipped from off the pipe and fell into the water.
The men say he momentarily resurfaced and begun to swim but then panicked.
Avendano fought for his life but he eventually went down and didn’t resurface.
The group says they were far away from him and were in shock during the incident.
They made attempts to save him but were unsuccessful.
A group of divers that were in the area assisted the men in retrieving the body out of the water and brought it inland on their vessel.
Police say no foul play is suspected.
