A man died and 2 others were injured after a lightning storm out in the seas off Caye Caulker. At around 7 on Sunday morning police responded to reports for assistance from a boat which was heading to Half Moon Caye.
The boat's captain identified as 32-year-old Caye Caulker resident Karl Pariente left Caye Caulker en route to Halfmoon Caye on a diving expedition with tourists. Some fifteen miles out to sea they got caught in a lightning storm. Pariente decided to turn back, but he was unable to outrun the storm that's when the boat's antenna was struck by lightning, killing 22-year-old Daryl Teo a park ranger for Halfmoon Caye who was catching a ride back to his post. Teo's mother says that though tragic, it's the kind of thing that is really just unavoidable.
Celia Teo, Mother
When I got the news that my son was struck by a lightning."
Alfonso Noble,
Where was he going and from where did he leave?
Celia Teo,
"He left from Caye Caulker to go to Halfmoon Caye."
Alfonso Noble,
He works out there I understand.
Celia Teo,
"Yes he is a ranger. I don't know what time he left Caye Caulker but he got hurt around 7:30 in the morning."
Alfonso Noble,
Is this the kind of thing you expect? I know going out to sea is a dangerous thing but this is absolutely a freak of nature.
Celia Teo,
"I do understand. I am okay with it. God gives and God takes."
While Teo died as a result of the incident, Pariente was injured. He was flown into Belize City via helicopter where he is recovering at the KHMH. Police report that none of the tourists on the trip were injured.
