Couple Die Trying to Save Sons
A Costa Rican couple lost their lives in an attempt to save their sons. The  tragedy occurred in an area known as Catarata de Rio Savegre, when the couple drowned in an attempt to save the lives of their two boys aged 11 and 14, who had called out for help. The manager of a hotel in the area, a German national, also lost his life in the attempt to help the couple.

The two boys were rushed to the Max Peralta hospital were they are recovering from their accident. Red Cross rescue workers pulled their parents bodies from the water and will later today, Monday, attempt the recovery the body of the hotel manager who was pressed against rocks. Darkeness hampered their efforts yesterday.

Carlos Manuel Ortiz Cabezas (54) and Susan Marie Pérez Echeverría (46) where the first two victims. The hotel manager was only identified as Keith, who has been living in Costa Rica for the past year with his wife and two children. Keith managed the hotel El Manatial in San Gerardo de Dota.

In an unrelated accident, the body of man was found in the canals of Tortuguero. Donald Agüero, 29 years old, had been missing since Tursday. Witnesses say the man jumped into the waters to save boys who were calling out for "auxilio" - help. The body was found some 3 kilometres from the scene of the accident.

Authorities are reminding vacationers - many Ticos take advantage of visiting the beaches and rivers during the last weeks before school begins in February - to exercise caution while in the water. Strong under currents have been the cause of many deaths over the years, something authorities are working hard to reduce.