Relentless rains caused flooding in the Cayo, Stann Creek, Toledo and Belize Districts this weekend - and tonight, we have the first casualty to report. 65-year-old farmer Carlos Valdez was swept to his death this morning when his canoe capsized in the turbulent Mopan River near Succotz. Right now, because of all the rains and the waters coming down from the Maya Mountains, the river has over-run its banks, and its waters are raging with heavy currents and fast swirling eddy's. Valdez, who is a farmer was ferrying plantains over from his farm on the other side of the river to his home in Succotz.
It happened at around 8:00 and when we got there at 2:00 in the afternoon, there was still no trace of his body or the canoe he was using. We spoke to his sister:...
Consuelo Castellanos, sister of deceased
"What I head is that he went across the river to get plantains at the farm and I think the dorey collapse (turn over). People say that they saw him coming up and he went down into the water again and from there they hadn't seen him again."
Jules Vasquez
"Your brother was very experience with this river..."
Consuelo Castellanos, sister of deceased
"From very young we use to cross this river in bad weather or good weather."
Jules Vasquez
"Ma'am, it has to be a very sick feeling for you right now knowing that you can't find him and that he is somewhere in this water."
Consuelo Castellanos, sister of deceased
"I am asking help from the Coast Guard to assist. I think if they find the dorey, maybe he is right there hanging to the chain or something."
One man who was in the canoe with Valdez managed to make it to shore without injury. A body recovery team has been organized in Cayo. They did a rapid assessment today, but they say that presently the river is too dangerous right now to do a body recovery. Tomorrow they will do a land search - but cannot go back into the river until the raging waters subside.
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