A British man recently drowned while vacationing with friends, including his new wife, in the coastal town of Cartagena, Colombia. The victim, identified as James Winkles from the Isle of Wight, was found on El Laguito Beach early in the morning.
Reports indicate that James, who was in the city for 12 days, was staying at a luxury hotel in the El Laguito area to celebrate his recent wedding with friends. Tragically, he went missing after going into the water during challenging weather and sea conditions.
His lifeless body was discovered near the shoreline, floating face down in the water around 7am. Emergency services responded to the scene and confirmed his passing. His body was then transferred to a local morgue for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding his suspected drowning.
Heart-wrenching visuals shared locally showed a woman, believed to be his long-term partner, mourning by his covered body on the shore, repeatedly expressing sorrow and disbelief.
The investigation into his death is ongoing, and authorities have issued warnings for swimmers to be cautious, especially during adverse weather conditions. This incident marks the second drowning off El Laguito Beach this year, following a similar tragedy involving a chef swept away while swimming with his girlfriend.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed their support for the deceased British national’s family in Colombia. Meanwhile, colleagues at the Isle of Wight car dealership where James worked expressed deep shock and grief over the tragic loss.