Four people, including a US-Chilean beer influencer, died after being swept out to sea during a desperate rescue attempt when a woman was dragged into the water by powerful waves.
The tragedy unfolded at Playa Grande Mirasol in the coastal resort town of Algarrobo, Valparaiso Region, Chile, on 9th March.
Authorities said the incident began when 26-year-old lawyer Patricia del Pilar Bello Labe was walking along the shoreline when a strong wave knocked her down and dragged her into the sea.
Her partner immediately rushed into the water to try to save her, but soon began struggling against the powerful surf.
Three other people nearby then entered the sea to help the couple.
They were identified as Benjamin “Ben” Robert Wood, 43, a Chilean-American entrepreneur and food influencer; his father Norman Ray Wood, 77, a US citizen visiting Chile, and Maria Jose Duarte Ureta, 47, Wood’s partner and a sales manager at the Tropera brewery.
According to the Chilean Navy, strong waves and currents dragged the four rescuers out into deeper water.
Rescue teams managed to pull Bello’s partner from the sea alive and he was taken to Hospital Claudio Vicuna for treatment.
However, the other four were recovered dead.
The Chilean Legal Medical Service confirmed the cause of death for all four victims was asphyxia by submersion.
Wood had lived in Chile for more than a decade and had become a recognised figure in the country’s craft beer and food scene.
The entrepreneur was involved in several beer-related ventures and hospitality projects, including the craft beer store Beervana, which he launched in 2013 and which helped introduce international beers to Chilean drinkers. He was also linked to projects such as Alameda Beer Co and Craftwork Chile, and was one of the founders of the popular Santiago burger bar El Honesto Mike, known for pairing gourmet burgers with craft brews.
The 43-year-old also built a following on social media where he shared cooking content and recipes, again often featuring craft beer.
Authorities said strong coastal swells were affecting the area at the time and urged people to exercise extreme caution along the shoreline.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below. Story By: Michael Leidig, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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