A desperate attempt to escape a swarm of bees ended in tragedy earlier today when eighteen-year-old Xue Liu drowned in the Belize River. Liu, an autistic teenager, reportedly jumped into the water after being attacked by bees near the Philip Goldson Highway. What followed was an agonizing search, as emergency responders, divers, and volunteers combed the river for hours while her family stood by, hoping she would be found alive. But that hope faded when search teams later recovered her body from the river. Tonight, a family is mourning a young life lost in a frightening and unexpected chain of events. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez
Paul Lopez, Reporting
“We are currently in front of the Whitfield Community, well across from the Whitfield Community along the Phillip Goldson Highway just outside of Belize City where reports indicate that a father and a child were attacked by bees earlier today. We are not sure what they were doing in the area, but they were attacked by bees and what we have learnt is that he child jumped into the river, the Belie River, and the father has been transported to the hospital for medical attention, while the child remains missing.”
News Five arrived on the scene shortly after the incident occurred and at that time only handful of people were out in response to a Facebook call for assistance. The Owner of 501 Lifeguard, Andrew Gentle, was among the first responders. They brought out a drone in the first instance.
Andrew Gentle
Andrew Gentle, Owner, 501 Lifeguards
“Basically it is about thirty feet deep. The current is a bit strong, but we are trying our best to see what we can do.”
A coast guard team also joined the search, equipped with diving gears and a massive drone. The search went on for hours. Divers combed the banks of the river while drones searched from above. Xue Liu’s family members began arriving at the scene.
Voice of: Brother of Deceased
Voice of: Brother of Deceased
“The thing is that just happen. I just come here. But I don’t know anything that happened right now. But I am trying to see what is happening right now. I don’t really sure how she came here, because she walk with my dad. I don’t know what is happening. My aunty called me and told me she is walking here and I just hurry come here.”
Several vessels later joined the search, from the Belize Coast Guard, the Belize Port Authority and private citizens. Collaboration and teamwork characterized the hours of searching. And while that was happening a team of bee removers arrived on the scene to remove the bees that were cordoned off with police caution tape. And then this happened.
“Bway get the divers, I will mark it right here. I feel a foot. A foot and a long pants is right here.”
A coast guard officer felt something under water resembling a foot and jeans pants.
“Help, Help, Help.”
It would actually take the search team another half hour to finally locate Liu’s body, bring some closure to a very unfortunate and tragic situation. It was an emotional discovery for everyone, from the family members to the swimming instructors. Here they consoled Liu’s brother and prayed for him.
“Comfort him in this time of struggle. Bring them comfort. I pray for the grandfather that you protect him. Help him recover. Amen.”
Tevin Conorque
Tevin Conorque, Lifeguard Instructor, 501 Lifeguard
“Thanks to the hope and faith of my team we managed to get the body out of the water and bring it to the brother. If you notice, he is the one who felt it the most.”
Paul Lopez
“Did you ever see yourself using your skills in this manner?”
Tevin Conroque
“Definitely, this is what we training for. Every time we hear someone drown, possible death, we feel it as a life guard. So every time we could help and assist with things like this, we are going to be there.”
We also spoke with Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis who was on site supporting his team of divers.
Gregory Soberanis
Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
“It is not easy. It is never easy, because you are talking about the loss of life. I have been a diver for years. I have recovered personal. It is never easy. there were times when I myself shed tears because of the situation. Especially when you are talking about a young person such as the one today. So it is difficult for divers, for people when you have to retrieve someone like this from the water, knowing that their parents and loved ones are here. Sometimes you do being emotional.”
After hours of relentless searching, Liu’s body was recovered from the river, bringing a tragic end to a desperate rescue effort and leaving a family and community mourning the loss of a young life. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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