Guatemalian tourist dies while snorkeling Key Largo: June 13

[DandyDon]

From BRIEF: Guatemalian tourist dies while snorkeling

Jun. 16--A man from Guatemala died Sunday while on a snorkeling trip off Key Largo.

Jose Herrador, 59, was on a reef trip with the commercial Snorkel Express boat, based at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park land base.

A crew member of the boat spotted Herrador "floating in the water, face-down with his snorkel out of his mouth," according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Herrador was pulled back onto the boat, which headed for shore as crew members attempted to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He was carried by ambulance from a dock to Mariners Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Herrador apparently is the fifth diving death involving scuba or snorkel gear in Keys waters in 2010.

In a separate incident Monday, a snorkeler was struck by a boat propeller while diving near the Bahia Honda Bridge in the Lower Keys.

According to initial reports from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Miami resident Denis Garcia, 32, suffered serious lacerations to his legs and feet but the wounds were not believed to be life-threatening.

Garcia did not have a diver-down flag near him, as legally required. He was cited for the violation.