Santos Tiul-Chen : Tragic Church Youth Event Drowning: Friends Try to Save Teen

ALVA, Fla. (WBBH) – In a heartbreaking turn of events, two young men and their teenage friend lost their lives in a drowning incident at a Florida lock and dam. The victims have been identified as 17-year-old Santos Tiul-Chen, 21-year-old Pedro Pascal, and 19-year-old Victor Leonardo Pedro Gaspar. All three young men were members of the Jesus Es La Verdad Church in Fort Myers, where they were honoured and remembered during a poignant Sunday service. A memorial adorned with pictures and flowers now stands inside the church, serving as a tribute to their lives.

Neyda Velasquez, a close friend of the victims, expressed her shock and devastation following the tragic incident that took place on Saturday. She revealed that the group had attended a church youth event at Franklin Lock and Dam earlier in the day, and some of them decided to stay behind for a swim after the event concluded.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Velasquez shared, “It’s just sad. We still can’t process it… every one of us, especially the family. Imagine you see your son leave in the morning, and you’re waiting for him to come back and he never does. So, yeah, it’s kind of difficult to process. We still can’t believe it’s true.”

She recounted seeing one of the victims just a week prior to the incident, highlighting the sudden and devastating nature of their loss.

Describing the young men, Velasquez said, “I’ve known them since I started attending the church… They were sweet young gentlemen that were dedicated to the work of our Lord Jesus.”

Tragic Turn of Events

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office provided details of the incident, revealing that Tiul-Chen, who lacked swimming experience, entered the water at the lock and encountered difficulties. Reports indicated that the water depth in the area was approximately 10 feet.

Pascal bravely jumped in to rescue Tiul-Chen but found himself in trouble as well. Gaspar, in a selfless act of friendship, swam in to aid both of his friends. Tragically, all three young men went under the water and did not resurface.

Despite efforts to revive them, the victims could not be saved. Velasquez acknowledged the courage displayed by Pascal and Gaspar, stating, “It’s actually something heroic. They did it to try to save their friend that was drowning, but it all sadly ended in tragedy, trying to save their one loved friend.”

Community Support and Awareness

A fourth individual involved in the incident survived after attempting to assist the victims. The identity of this individual has not been disclosed at this time.

In response to the tragedy, the Army Corps of Engineers erected new signs in English and Spanish at the site, clearly stating, “No swimming.” This serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers posed by water bodies and the importance of adhering to safety precautions.