Man dies in apparent hot tub electrocution at Mexico beach resort in Puerto Peñasco
A man died after likely being electrocuted in a jacuzzi at a resort hotel in the Mexican beach town of Puerto Peñasco, popularly also known as Rocky Point.
A man and a woman were apparently shocked by an electrical current Tuesday evening, June 11, while inside an outdoor jacuzzi next to a swimming pool at private condominiums in Puerto Peñasco, the Sonora State Attorney General's Office said in a news release.
Puerto Peñasco is a beach town in northwest Mexico frequented by U.S. tourists located on the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez) near the Arizona border.
Here's what to know about the incident.
Who were the two victims?
The man who died was identified by Sonora authorities only as 43-year-old Jorge N. The woman, identified as Lizeth N., was reportedly transported to a U.S. hospital in critical condition, the El Paso Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
The news release by the Sonora State Attorney General's Office didn't mention the victims' hometown, but Channel 9-KTSM reported that the man was from El Paso, Texas.
Full names were not disclosed by authorities in keeping with rules in Mexico regarding the naming of victims. The death is under investigation by Sonora state authorities. A cause of death has not been officially determined.
How common are electrocutions in hot tubs?
Similar jacuzzi and hot tub electrocutions have occurred in the past due to malfunctioning wiring that sends an electrical charge into the water.
There were 33 injuries and 33 deaths caused by electrocutions from swimming pools and hot tubs in the U.S. between 2002 and 2018, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In pools and hot tubs, an electric shock can come from a variety of places, including underwater lights, electric pool equipment, extension and power cords, electrical outlets or switches, overhead power lines and more.
What are the signs of electric shock in water?
According to the CPSC, swimmers may feel a tingling sensation, experience muscle cramps, feel as if something is holding them in place or not be able to move at all.
If you think you are being shocked in water, the CPSC says to move away from the source of the shock and get out of the water, exiting if possible without using a metal ladder, which may increase the risk of shock.
If someone in the water is experiencing an electrical shock, immediately turn off all power and call emergency services.