The Belize Coast Guard had to suspend its search today for an elderly man of Flowers Bank who reportedly drowned in the Belize River Valley—but whose body has yet to be recovered. Authorities plan to resume their search in the morning for 79-year-old Carl Flowers, who villagers say met his demise when a canoe he was in capsized on Wednesday, November 23.
The search for Flowers—the father of 18 children and a farmer for most of his life—began right after the incident on Wednesday afternoon. It’s been more than 24 hours since he went under, and up to press time tonight, his body has not been retrieved.
Witnesses say that Flowers and his common-law wife, Gloria Sanchez, were paddling their canoe towards the river bank when they heard a loud splash, and the couple was seen struggling to keep their heads above water.
They are not sure what caused the canoe to capsize, but area residents believe that a noise in the water scared the couple and caused them to lose control of the canoe, thereby causing it to tip over and eventually sink.
Sanchez was rescued, but Flowers was not. He is believed to have drowned.
Amandala spoke with two of Flowers’ sons who told us that they are prepared to accept that he has drowned, and they’ve joined the Coast Guard in efforts to recover his body.
They said that it’s been frustrating and emotional for them searching for their dad, but they believe that they must recover his body.
We also spoke to Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis, Flotilla Commander for the Belize Coast Guard, who told us that there are eight divers, both civilians and members of the Coast Guard, who have been diving up to 400 yards away from where the canoe had capsized.
Soberanis said that the visibility in the river is very poor, and they’ve had to canvass the area at a very slow pace.
He said that if the body wasn’t recovered today, there is still hope they may find it sometime tomorrow.
After speaking with the media, Soberanis and the team continued to canvass the area. When our newspaper left the scene this evening, they were still searching.
We made contact with the family later this evening, and they told us that authorities had officially suspended the search until tomorrow.
A memorial service will be held for Carl Flowers tomorrow.