SAN ANTONIO, Orange Walk District, Tues. Nov. 8. 2016–Inair Chan, 26, of Orange Walk Town, drowned in the Rio Hondo River at about 9:00 yesterday morning, Monday, while travelling from San Antonio to Orange Walk Town.

Chan was a passenger in a car in which he was traveling with his wife; his baby, 4 months old; his wife’s two sisters, Soliema and Cynthia Moralez; and her brother, Edgar Moralez. The driver of the vehicle was Clive August, 58.

While driving along the road, August missed the San Antonio Bridge and the vehicle plunged into the Rio Hondo River below, and began to slide into the deep area of the river.

Chan managed to get out of the submerging car, but went back to save his baby daughter, while the others began to struggle to come out of the car. He took his baby to safety and went back to help his struggling wife, and got her out of the car, but as he was coming out, he somehow got trapped in the car, which was still sliding downward, causing him to drown.

ASP Selwyn Tillett, Commander of Orange Walk District Police, said that on their arrival, they saw a Hispanic man floating in the river, and he was recognized as Inair Chan.

ASP Tillett said that the driver of the car, Clive August, has been detained and a sample of his blood has been taken and submitted to be tested at the forensic lab, to see if the level of alcohol in his blood was above the legally prescribed level.

The Commander said that a file has been compiled and forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for her advice.

The other four adults who were traveling in the car with Chan managed to escape from the car with minor injuries, while Chan’s baby suffered injuries to her shoulder. They were all taken to the Northern Regional Hospital, where they were treated and released.

The baby, however, was admitted to ward, where she is being treated for the injury.

According to a report on CTV 3 News Belize, Chan has been declared a hero by his family for saving his wife and baby, although he died in his efforts.