A day intended for relaxation and fun ended in tragedy when three young men drowned in the Caloosahatchee River near Franklin Lock in Alva, Florida on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
The victims, identified as Pedro Miguel Pascual, 21, Victor Pedro-Gaspar, 19, and Santos Tiul-Chen, 17, attended a youth church event. After the event, they stayed behind to swim, unaware of the lurking danger.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported that Tiul-Chen, who lacked swimming experience, entered the water and began struggling immediately. Pascual quickly jumped in to assist him but also started to struggle.
Pedro-Gaspar entered the water in a brave attempt to save his friends, but all three soon went under and did not resurface. A fourth individual also entered the water to help but managed to return to shore and was transported 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,” said Neyda Velasquez, a close friend of the victims.
The Franklin Lock area is marked with signs from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers warning against swimming, wading, snorkeling, or scuba diving due to the dangers present. Despite these warnings, the three young men entered the water, leading to a tragic outcome. The park has since reopened, but temporary signs in both English and Spanish have been placed throughout the recreation area, and patrols by rangers and volunteers have increased to ensure safety.
Alva resident Mike Ritter, who frequently visits the park, emphasized the importance of adhering to the posted 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,” Ritter said.
The investigation revealed that Tiul-Chen’s lack of swimming skills contributed to the initial struggle, which quickly escalated as his friends attempted to rescue him. The water in the area is approximately 10 feet deep, adding to the difficulty of the rescue attempts.
“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,” Ritter added.
Florida ranks second among all U.S. states in child drowning deaths, ages one to four, and fifth overall for drowning incidents across all ages. This event highlights the critical need for water safety awareness and the importance of following safety guidelines in potentially dangerous areas.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the Franklin Lock and the nearby recreation area, has taken steps to prevent similar incidents. In addition to the new signage and increased patrols, they emphasize the need for visitors to wear life jackets and be aware of the risks associated with swimming in natural bodies of water.
As of the latest update May 22, swimming has been banned at the location by the Caloosahatchee River near Franklin Lock in Florida, following the drowning of the three young men on Saturday.
The community is still reeling from the loss of these young lives, and the church has organized memorial services to honor the victims. “They were kind young men devoted to the work of our Lord Jesus,” Velasquez said, reflecting on the three’s significant impact on their community.