Heavy surf kills two expats in Crucita

Fire and rescue officials report that two foreign residents drowned Saturday night on a beach near Crucita. The man and woman were swept to deep water in exceptionally heavy surf, they say. Police did not release the names of the victims but a local newspaper published their picture.

Drowning victims were not identified by police.

Officials said the woman was a U.S. citizen and the man was Venezuelan. Both were residents of Crucita.

The rescue crew said the woman died shortly after being pulled from the water while the man died in an ambulance en route to the hospital.

According the police report, the incident happened at about 8:45 p.m. Saturday night off the beach of La Loma de Crucita. Friends said a massive wave, which they described as a “rogue wave,” broke over the couple, carrying them to deep water.