Alejandro Gonzalez, 20, an art student from Michigan, experienced a fatal incident in Cancun on Easter Sunday while trying to rescue a friend caught in a riptide. The event occurred around 7:30 p.m. off the coast of the popular vacation destination.
The 20-year-old had traveled to Cancun with three high school friends. According to his mother, his friend was pulled out to sea by a strong current. In a selfless act, he went to her aid and helped her escape the riptide. However, in the process of saving his friend, he himself was caught by the powerful current and swept away, resulting in the loss of his life.
After a three-day search, his body was recovered on Wednesday. His mother shared on Facebook that while the outcome was not what they had hoped for, they were grateful to be able to bring him home. She also posted a photo of him taken the evening he went into the water, noting his happiness at being with his friends in a new place.
He was a graduate of the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy in 2022 and was currently studying at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit. He also worked as a barista. Heather Shephard, who organized the fundraiser, described him as a talented artist, a wonderful friend who “lights up a room,” and someone who was caring and fiercely loyal.
Beyond his studies, he contributed his artistic skills to his community, painting a cat-themed utility box mural in Saginaw as part of the “Great Mural Project” in 2023. A makeshift memorial with flowers and a donation drive for the local animal shelter was set up at the mural site in his honor.
It’s crucial to be aware of the dangers of riptides, which are strong currents that can pull swimmers away from the shore. To minimize your risk:
- Heed Warning Signs and Flags: Always pay close attention to any posted signs or flags on the beach. These are there for your safety and often indicate specific hazards, including the presence of riptides or unsafe swimming conditions.
- Observe Water Conditions Before Entering: Take several minutes to carefully watch the water before you even step in. Look for these telltale signs of a potential riptide:
- Channels of Cloudy, Murky Water: Riptides often stir up sand and sediment from the ocean floor, making the water appear cloudier or a different color than the surrounding water.
- Foamy, Choppy, or Rippled Areas: Unlike the regular breaking waves, a riptide might appear as a section of choppy or rippled water that extends away from the shore.
- A Break in the Wave Pattern: Notice if there’s a section where the incoming waves are not breaking or are significantly smaller than the waves on either side. This can indicate a riptide is pulling water offshore.
- Floating Debris Moving Offshore: Watch for seaweed, foam, or other floating objects that are being carried steadily away from the beach, even if the surrounding water appears calm.
- Unusual Wave Patterns: Be wary of waves that seem to be behaving erratically or forming in unusual patterns.
- Swim Near Lifeguards: Opt to swim at beaches that have lifeguard services. Lifeguards are trained to identify and respond to riptides and other water hazards. Stay within the designated swimming areas they monitor.
If you do get caught in a riptide:
- Don’t Fight Directly Against the Current: This is the most important thing to remember. Riptides are powerful, and trying to swim directly back to shore against the current will quickly exhaust you.
- Swim Parallel to the Shore: Swim sideways, parallel to the beach, until you feel yourself being pulled less strongly offshore. Riptides are usually narrow, so moving to the side will often get you out of the main current.
- Then, Swim at an Angle Towards the Shore: Once you are free from the pull of the riptide, swim at an angle away from the direction of the current and towards the beach.
- If You Can’t Swim Out of It, Float or Tread Water and Signal for Help: If you are unable to swim out of the riptide, conserve your energy by floating on your back or treading water. Wave your arms and yell loudly to alert lifeguards or people on the shore that you need assistance.
A gofundme has been set up to help bring Alejandro home.
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