Santos Tiul-Chen : Teen Drowns at Church Event Rescue

ALVA, Fla. (WBBH) – A heart-wrenching tragedy struck a Florida community when three young men lost their lives in a drowning incident at a lock and dam after attending a church youth event. The victims, identified as 17-year-old Santos Tiul-Chen, 21-year-old Pedro Pascal, and 19-year-old Victor Leonardo Pedro Gaspar, were all members of the Jesus Es La Verdad Church in Fort Myers.

The entire congregation is reeling from the loss as they remember the three young men during a somber Sunday service. A memorial adorned with pictures and flowers now stands inside the church, serving as a poignant reminder of the lives lost too soon.

A close friend of the victims, Neyda Velasquez, expressed the shock and disbelief felt by everyone in the aftermath of the tragic incident. According to Velasquez, a group of people had stayed behind at Franklin Lock and Dam to swim after the church event had concluded on that fateful Saturday.

Velasquez recounted her last encounter with one of the victims just days before the tragedy unfolded, highlighting the sudden and devastating nature of the loss. “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,” she said.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the incident occurred when Tiul-Chen, who lacked swimming experience, entered the water at the lock and encountered difficulties. With the water depth in the area measuring approximately 10 feet, Pascal bravely jumped in to assist Tiul-Chen but soon found himself struggling as well. Gaspar then joined the rescue effort, but tragically all three friends submerged and did not resurface.

Despite the valiant efforts of the victims, they were unable to overcome the perilous conditions. Paramedics on the scene attempted life-saving measures, but sadly, none of the three young men survived.

Velasquez hailed the two victims who knew how to swim as heroes for their selfless act of trying to save their friend. “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,” she reflected.

While a fourth individual involved in the incident managed to survive after also rushing in to help, their identity has not been disclosed at this time. The Army Corps of Engineers responded to the tragedy by installing new signs in English and Spanish in the area, clearly stating, “No swimming.”