American tourist dies of electrocution at spa in Mexican resort

A Texas man died this week after being electrocuted in a hot tub at a resort in northwest Mexico.

Jorge Guillen, 43, died and his wife, Lizette Zambrano, 35, was injured after both were electrocuted by an “electric shock” in the jacuzzi at the Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Peñasco around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. The couple, identified by CBS affiliate KDBC, had traveled to Sonora from El Paso, Texas.

A witness who spoke to Telemundo said bystanders frantically tried to pull the couple out of the water, but were blocked by the electric current. One woman was even shocked herself as she tried to enter the spa. Videos posted on social media showed the chaotic aftermath of the tragedy, with witnesses screaming as they tried to help the couple.

When authorities arrived at the complex, Guillen was found submerged underwater.

The resort reportedly closed all of the resort’s spas, one of the witnesses said.

The state attorney general’s office has opened an investigation into the matter to determine Guillen’s official cause of death. Authorities are also working to determine the cause of the electric shock.

A GoFundMe had been created to help support the couple’s family. The fundraising site is asking for donations to help bring the man’s body home and cover the woman’s medical costs.

Following the incident, Zambrano was taken to hospital in critical condition.

“Jorge had a heart of gold and was always there for his family and friends,” the page reads. “The love they shared was the same for ages.” As of early Thursday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised more than $30,000.