One day of adventure turned into a nightmare of almost ten hours that ended with the rescue of five American tourists and two Puerto Ricans, this morning, in the so-called Charco Azul de Vega Baja.
The director of the Municipal Emergency Management Office (OMME) of Vega Baja, José Ayala González, reported that they were able to rescue two people from Carolina and five tourists from places in the United States, such as Chicago and New York, in good health. after a stroke of water in the Indian River.
Ayala González indicated that the tourists arrived guided by the two Carolineans, who on other occasions has brought visitors to the area.
An eighth person – also a tourist – stayed in one of the vehicles and spent hours of tension when he didn’t know what was going on with his friends.
“They were enjoying. The river was normal and so far it went up … there was an abrupt change in the currents. It was the water blow and left them trapped in the center of the cave where they were,” said Ayala González.
“It is a very remote area. There is no cell phone signal. They were able to warn why one of them fell into the water and was able to leave. Then he went up the ground and shouted for help. Fortunately, someone heard them and that was the person who notified the authorities, “he added.
According to the official, that request for help arose at about 6:00 p.m., but the injured were trapped by the water blow from about 3:00 p.m.
“The problem is that it was raining from the day before in Morovis,” said Ayala González, recalling that the Unabón River serves the Indian River in Vega Baja, which is related to the famous Charco Azul.
The rescuers had to wait until after midnight to lower the water level and be able to execute the rescue operation.
All were taken out in good health.
“The last one we took was the one who came up to ask for help. It was almost 1:00 in the morning,” said the director of the WMO of Vega Baja.
“We recognize that it is a beautiful area and that people like to come, but they have to take into account the weather conditions and should look for people who know the area well. Here in Vega Baja there is a gentleman who is dedicated to that,” abounded.
He pointed out that the guide of that group had gone to the place on other occasions and they went into the area using “personal vehicles”.
“The problem is that this access is not for the general public. It is an easement of the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) because there is a pumping system for the community, but it is for specialized vehicles for that type of land.” he explained.
“Gates and signs have been posted, but people keep coming in,” he said.
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