A 43-year-old man from El Paso, Texas died, and a 35-year-old woman, also from El Paso, is in critical condition following an apparent electrocution incident in a hot tub at the Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico. The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
According to the General Prosecutor’s Office of Justice of the State of Sonora, Jorge Guillen and Lizette Zambrano were the victims. An electrical discharge in the hot tub led to Guillen’s death and Zambrano’s critical injuries.
Witnesses reported that the couple was enjoying the hot tub when the electric shock occurred. Sara Gaitan-Perez, a nurse from Goodyear, Arizona, who was staying at the resort, recalled her experience to the Arizona Daily Star. Gaitan-Perez said that she and her family had been at the pool earlier, with her husband and son using the same hot tub about an hour before the incident. She administered CPR to the couple and observed that Zambrano began breathing on her own before being transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Another witness who tried to help the couple was shocked upon entering the water, highlighting the severity of the electrical discharge.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the electrical failure. A translated statement from the General Prosecutor’s Office shared on Facebook mentioned that the investigation aims to determine the origin of the failure. The resort, located about 200 miles from the Arizona border, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
This incident follows a similar electrocution-related death at a hot tub in a Phoenix, Arizona fitness center last June.
Family members confirmed that Zambrano has been transported to the U.S. for further medical treatment and remains in critical condition. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the couple’s families, raising over $42,000 as of June 14. The fundraiser describes Jorge Guillen as a man who had a heart of gold and emphasizes the deep bond he shared with Zambrano.
“Our closest friends have faced a terrible accident. Jorge was incredibly kind and always supportive of his loved ones. Their love was truly remarkable,” stated the message on the GoFundMe page.
Though relatively rare, electrocutions in swimming pools and hot tubs pose significant dangers. Between 2002 and 2018, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recorded 33 injuries and 33 deaths from electrocutions in pools and hot tubs in the U.S. The source of such electric shocks can include malfunctioning wiring, underwater lights, and other electric pool equipment.
According to the CPSC, signs of electric shock in water can include a tingling sensation, muscle cramps, or feeling held in place. The organization advises moving away from the source of the shock and exiting the water without using metal ladders, which may increase the risk of shock.
The Sonoran Sea Resort, known for its beachfront pools and family-friendly amenities, has been a popular destination for tourists from the U.S., especially Arizona.
