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Seas Swallows Four
Americans On Vacation
The
fifty students from Kansas never
imagined that this would the
final destination for four of
their travelling companions,
when three students and their
teacher are believed to have
drowned in sea off the Pacific
coast, authorities said on
Sunday.
The alarm went off Saturday
afternoon, then six people
disappeared in the water. Only
one body was recovered Saturday,
that of the young Danielle
Dongier (18). Sunday morning
Cruz Rojistas (Red Cross
workers) tried to get back into
the water but the high tide at
Palo Seco, Parrita (northwest of
Quepos) made it impossible.
During one attempt, the small
boat used by the Cruz Rojistas
flipped over and they have to be
rescued as well. Shortly after,
a small aircraft flying over the
area located a body in the
water. The body of Harold
Harusprite (17) was pulled from
the water.
Still missing are Brad Carlson
and Jessica Pierce and are
presumed drowned.
The four were part of a group of
six who chose to go
swimming near Parrita, northwest
of Querpos, on Saturday when
strong currents dragged them out
to sea, said Carlos Bolaños, a
Cruz Roka (Red Cross) official.
Two of the swimmers were
rescued, but the bodies of
Kansas high school students
Danielle Tongier, 18, and Andrew
Harpstrite, 17, were recovered
by local police.
The names of the two surviving
swimmers, who were taken to a
nearby hospital and reported to
be in good condition, were not
immediately available, said
Bolaños.
Bolaños said the surf in the
area was particularly dangerous
at the time they chose to go
swimming.
The manager of the hotel were
group was staying, the apartotel
La Isla, said that he had warned
the four that is as dangerous to
go in the water. Sally María
Delgado told the group of the
dangers just before dinner at
5:00pm. However, six of her
guests decided to discard the
advice and headed off for the
water.
According to witnesses, the sea
was "picado" (violent) as the
rain and strong winds caused the
giant waves. The accident
occurred just before 6:00pm.
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