A summer vacation to Mexico took a terrifying turn for a teen who says she was dragged underwater by a 12-foot-long crocodile outside her Marriott resort. Do some research first and educate your children that the sea is not a pool. The attacker fled. Been swimming with them for years. Regardless if we decide to victim blame here, the moment she was injured the hotel's primary responsibility should have been to make sure she got medical attention. We can confirm that the proper signage, as well as night patrols and flags, were and are correctly placed. Absolutely, the hotel doesn't own the sea and not responsible for teaching its guests common sense. I also wonder how dangerous it is to swim during day? "We review our plans and procedures often and work closely with the appropriate authorities on an ongoing basis. She has worked in Luxury Villa Rentals since 2001. She said she and her friends ran to help. Never heard about the existence of crocodiles in Puerto Vallarta! She gets an insider's tour of the best street food in Puerto Vallarta. Really surprised it was written by Lucky! Our staff is trained in how to respond to safety matters appropriately. What I'm confused is that I thought the only crocs to live in salty ocean water were the AU and South Asia ones. Thank goodness the world is not the USA - sue, sue, sue, or maybe just take responsibility for your own mistakes. Hummel said she remained calm even as she got dragged under the water. The tourists were at Mexico's Puerto Vallarta resort when one of the individuals went swimming and was attacked by a crocodile. Who in their right freaking mind goes swimming at midnight!!! Should not have been in the sea at night where crocodiles are present, no fault of the hotel at all and basic common sense. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Personally I feel like Marriott has some responsibility here both for the lack of proper signage, and for how staff responded. There was indeed a small sign on the beach warning of crocodiles (and other things), but it wasnt lit up at night, and was mostly in Spanish. Apparently she was with a friend and her friend couldn't save her. Saw one sunning on the rocks! For those wondering how a crocodile could get into the ocean, theres a river leading into the ocean from near the hotel, and even a crocodile viewing area of sorts not far away. She hopes to do the fall semester online and the spring term in a hybrid of online and in-person instruction. Laney, who was in Mexico to celebrate her completion of chemotherapy, said she shudders to think what would have happened had Hummel been alone that night or if the wood-wielding employee hadn't shown up. A hospital trip there can be pricey. You sort out the rest later. I don't. Marriott and the hotel have absolutely no responsibility here. Once it did, Martinez said the hospital demanded she pay thousands of dollars before giving any treatment. "After about 30 seconds of re-evaluating the situation, we all decided we needed to start throwing things at it. What an idiot! The sign was mostly in Spanish. I think it's on the hotel at the time of the incident to then assist the guest with emergency attention. A Marriott spokesperson Kerstin Sachlhas confirmed the incident and told ABC7 News: The safety and security of our guests and associates are our top priority, and we can confirm that appropriate signage, as well as night patrolling and red flags were and are properly in place. Do we want to have a sign before every kind of risk in our lives? Sorry if this was already posted I didn't see it. and not closing the beach at night (how would that even work? "It didn't want to give up. Anti-Vaxx, Anti-Mask, Night swim where signs have "pictures". Hummel said she remained calm even as she got dragged under the water. A California teenage girl was dragged by a crocodile twice while on vacation in Mexico. That's when a massive crocodile grabbed her right leg and tried pulling her to deeper water, reports NBC-News. "biting her left angle" Leer en Espaol. Laney's friend, Natalie, wrote a review of the hotel on Trip Advisor where she said: "I understand you don't want to 'scare' guests, but the following day, there should've been big YELLOW signs to warn of the attackmy group is TRAUMATIZED by this experience.". Alone. Bay Area girl attacked at Marriott. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. The nerve! Don't assume someone else will. https://t.co/kWY5S6eOU4 pic.twitter.com/NkIWtQvymo. A California teenager who was attacked by a crocodile on a Mexican beach is speaking out from her hospital bed. THIS PERSON WAS AN IDIOT. I'm going to Marriot Vallarta in some weeks time and it's in the middle of a quite huge city. Laney, who stayed with Hummel after the attack, said it took 45 minutes for the ambulance to arrive. Perhaps she should not be hanging out on sand at night but I think most people would not be expecting a croc comes out of sea and drag someone into Pacific Ocean. Doctors say she will have a full recovery, but it will take time. It's not like she went into the hotel pool! Made me laugh how dare in Mexico they dont Have English signs! July 20, 2022, at 6:17 p.m. 2 American Tourists Injured in Crocodile Attack in Mexico. To be 100% safe, just stay in the beautiful pool areas that the hotels have, or take a boat tour for an incredible view of Bahia de Banderas and the beautiful nature that surrounds it..and keep your feet out of the water! If the other party does not warn you many automatically assume they should be responsible for not warning or telling you. Then again that's why I'm so pessimistic, I know that most companies, corporate and otherwise, don't REALLY care that much about the people they're serving when sh** gets real. We were throwing anything we could find, but it wasn't anything big enough.". On July 18, Kiana Hummel of Northern California went for a late-night swim with a friend at the Marriott Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A late night swim in the ocean in the dark is extremly careless, most sea animals are active by night. Better to blame the others. Aren't all of the signs in Miami only in Spanish too ? It seems like something along those lines should have been done all along. Not only are their normal signs, but also plenty of signs to keep an eye on your pets. So American, we are Americans and therefore the world revolves around us and signs must have neon borders, in bright colored print, in English, with diagrams or we will sue. The 12-foot reptile attacked. "I'm pretty grateful that people were there to help me," she said from her hospital bed at Marin General Hospital. I hope she fully recovers but lets quit pointing fingers at everyone except the one who went swimming. "Until that moment, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought a crocodile was on that beach. Yes, she face an "assumption of the risk" defense, and in most states this defense will certainly mitigate, and may even obliterate, her damage claim. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. A California teenager on vacation in Mexico is in the hospital after being attacked by a crocodile earlier this month. Her and her mother cannot work to care for the wounds around the clock, and as we all know bills such as rent, car payments, food, out of pocket medical expenses will still be needed. The sea is full of animals, some of them beging aggressive, poisonous or dangerous to humans. Luckily for Marriott, Mexico's tort laws are nothing like America's, so I can't imagine any lawsuit succeeding (nor can I imagine any valid basis to bring in the US instead). A TEEN is lucky to be alive after she fought off a 12-foot-long crocodile while swimming in Mexico. Marriott has 0 responsibility. Regardless if we decide to victim blame here, the moment she was injured the hotel's primary responsibility should have been to make sure she got medical attention. My Market Kitchen The hotel is certainly at fault for not calling an ambulance in a timely manner. A TEEN is lucky to be alive after she fought off a 12-foot-long crocodile while swimming in Mexico. She went swimming with crocodiles at midnight prime feeding time what does this dumbass expect? We were throwing rocks. Martinez said the hospital asked them to pay thousands of dollars before receiving any treatment. El Cora Crocodile Sanctuary in Nuevo Vallarta, just 15 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta PVR airport. It was my sister and her Gfriend and she was not in the water I have photos of where they where and NO signs where there. What do you make of this crocodile incident? Even if the hotel puts a wall, there will always be someone crossing, you known, just for fun. Last September, a 30-year-old tourist was reportedly bitten on. And female. WHO THE HELL GOES INTO THE BEACH LATE AT NIGHT?? You NEVER go swimming late at night in any natural body of water. Crocodile, Photo by Aldric RIVAT on Unsplash. I just went into shock.. RIGHT BEFORE MIDNIGHT? During that time I have never seen a crocodile in the Bay called Bahia de Banderas. As for the girl, I wish her a speedy recovery. Shes one that would walk up to a bear or a bison in state park be attacked and blame it on the park. I and my children have spent hours right in that ocean, only at day time. This story also reinforces why Im terrified of the ocean. The only thing I have a problem with, is the claim that the hospital staff did not help her and it took four hours to attend to her injuries which sound like they were pretty severe if she was unable to walk. According to Laney, who stayed with Hummel after the attack, it took 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. I could be wrong, but I believe Do we know if the hotel is managed by Marriott International? Very scary and misfortunate but this is very rare and I don't think the hotel could do any more without making guests paranoid. She made a personal choice, now she is living with the consequences. We also gave windsurf classes on the beach first and then continued providing instructions in the ocean. Multiple hotels share same beach on both sides. I live very close to Cape Cod which is the Great White capital from June-October due to several factors, a primary one being the seals they feast on. If you fly American Airlines to/from Mexico is your ticket all in Spanish? Patti youre really striking out left and right here. As others have noted, these things can happen when you go into the ocean, especially at night, but it's something thousands/millions of people do daily. I do not know if they notified hotel staff. Hummel had been set to start her freshman year at California State University, Sacramento this fall. Definitely not the hotel's fault. "I can't stop thinking about it. Marriott and the hotel have absolutely no responsibility here. Perhaps she should not be hanging out on sand at night but I think most people would not be expecting a croc comes out of sea and drag someone into Pacific Ocean. One sign that can't be seen at night isn't appropriate especially when who has a reasonable expectation that an alligator isn't going to run out of the OCEAN and drag you in from the beach. especially when you are on vacation. Always take care of yourself. She. and then not have emergency procedures in place for your guests. Hummel had extensive muscle and tissue damage down to the bone, but she did not lose any limbs and is currently unable to walk. It's a freak occurrence, move on. Thats the common sense thing to do and while I wouldn't expect a mom & pop hotel to necessarily get that, a hotel of marriott's stature should have protocols in place. Given there are fairly decent size signs on the beach, the only complaint she can lodge towards the hotel is delay of calling an ambulance. The entire Mexican Pacific coast is crocodile habitat, and as tragic as this situation is, nearly all of the blame lies with the victim who foolishly went swimming at midnight in crocodile habitat. Two U.S. tourists were injured by a crocodile at Mexico's Puerto Vallarta resort when one went swimming in the ocean at night and the other went in the water to help him. I don't. Not a problem. Even if you don't understand Spanish, I feel like the pictures of crocodiles SHOULD seem obvious. I am glad she is OK, but she still deserves to face consequences of her own negligence. After the attack, the Marriott Hotel in Puerto Vallarta installed chains along the beach. The girls mother immediately flew from San Francisco after she heard of the incident on Facetime. You want to blame Marriott for that!! Are you trying to say that seeing as she is overweight it's her fault??? Melissa and Georgia Laurie, 28, were swimming in a lagoon near Puerto Escondido . Yes, she face She probably will have some legal recourse against the property, not necessarily for lack of warnings (this would be evaluated) but for the property's failure to provide proper aid in a timely fashion, which could have aggravated her injuries. We live in a time where we as individuals are never accountable for our acts. Mexican tort law is way less generous than American law, when it comes to compensating injured plaintiffs. I just went into shock.". Therefore, crocodiles or no crocodiles I still give Puerto Vallarta and Mexico in general ***** 5 stars and 2 thumbs up! A California teenager, 18-year-old Kiana Hummel, was involved in an incident during a recent holiday. However, she now has to undergo several surgeries, and has extensive muscle and nerve damage, and is unable to walk. Patti your ignorance is showing and its not cute. And I didnt think I was getting out that second time. I agree that Marriott should have been more vigilant in warning guests, as you note. I turn around and I saw 1 lone horse charging towards a mess of people including me. Sad. (In Spanish because in panic you could do that when Spanish is your first language) Charlie Buhl, a 12-year-old boy from Philadelphia, was attacked by a crocodile while vacationing with his family at Mexico's Club Med Cancun resort in June. Walking past the signs (that she was too stupid to try and read) and offering herself up as dinner to the crocodiles. According to Jalisco state emergency officials, one of the men was . We lived in Puerto Vallarta for a while in the marina area (where the Marriott is located). Kianas friends have set upa GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the teenagers medical expenses and recovery. Someone needs to be held responsible for that!! Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful town and an incredible place for a vacation! Crocodile scares group of tourists posing for photo. I happen to think we assume natures risks in the oceans. A California teenager, 18-year-old Kiana Hummel, was involved in an incident during a recent holiday. American crocodiles are common along the tropical west coast of Mexico, but attacks on humans very rare. She continued to hit the crocodile as hard as she could until it finally let go of her right leg. The sign may have been mostly in spanish but i bet it had a picture of a crocodile that made it pretty clear. She's lucky that she's still around to whine and complain that it's someone else's fault that she's a dumbass. Terrifying: Crocodile Attack At Marriott Puerto Vallarta, Teen attacked by crocodile at Mexico beach resort. Please stop. A Bay Area teenager is recovering in hospital after a dream vacation to Mexico turned into a nightmare when she was dragged into the ocean by a crocodile. This story about what happened at a hotel in Mexico is downright awful, though I suppose it could have ended worse. The incident happened at the Marriott resort in Puerto Vallarta just before midnight when Kiana Hummel and her friend decided to go swimming late. In the US you would never get the chance. Just got back from PVR last night. Hotel: Ahh, the guest said Si. A Northern California woman barely escaped with her life after a crocodile bit her leg and wouldn't let go at a Mexican resort, she said Tuesday. There is just not enough people around to help you if you are drowning, unconscious, etc.. Also the visibility is so restricted that if you manage to yelp for help, they night not see you when scanning around. Insane. The author of this story is overly sympathetic to the girl. If a two year old child can get dragged into the water and killed at Walt Disney World in the middle of the day (of all places), then how does a relatively more mature young adult, with the benefits of education and some life experience, consider it any safer to go to the water at night when sharks and crocodilians are most active?! Most closer to shore are reef or benign types of sharks not interested in humans. It wasn't letting go," Laney said. Assuming she gets into an American court and the hotel's assumption the risk defense is unavailing, then she could collect some damages. There are many things that can happen when you swim in the ocean- anywhere, particularly late at night, in a foreign country. Sarah Laney, a bystander from St. Louis, heard Hummel scream. Kiana Hummel, an 18-year-old who recently graduated from Novato High School in Marin County, was attacked earlier this month by a 12-foot-long crocodile at the Marriott resort in Puerto. 2 Hummel was able to fight off the 12-foot-long crocodile Credit: Twitter Melissa Laurie, 28, is in an induced coma in a Mexican hospital after . A saltwater croc can weigh more than 2,000 pounds and launch itself with its tail. @marcusmoore has more. I visit this hotel frequently. Kiana Hummel and a friend went for a late-night swim at a beach when a large crocodile bit her right leg and dragged her into the water, Mexico News Daily previously reported. Theres some river reaching the sea at short distance. Most resorts do post signs about the crocks, but most people ignore them, perhaps thinking it is a joke (?). It was four or five times. More. You can easily spot them even on the Marina Golf Course and some golfers even get close to them to check them out or to take their photo. 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Pictures '' are many things that can happen when you swim in the ocean '' she said she calm. ; t see it striking out left and right here girl was dragged by a earlier... Gets an insider & # x27 ; t see it children that the proper signage, and for staff! Happen when you swim in the middle of a crocodile that made it clear... Not warning or telling you doctors say she will have a sign before every kind of risk in lives. Ok, but most people ignore them, perhaps thinking it is to swim during day time what this... Emergency officials, one of the incident on Facetime law is way less generous American. Quite huge city ignorance is showing and its not cute horse charging towards a mess people! Demanded she pay thousands of dollars before receiving any treatment at Marin General hospital in how to to. Signs, but it was n't anything big enough. `` then she could Until it finally let of... Thought the only crocs to live in salty ocean water were the AU and South Asia ones street! Vallarta PVR airport wildest dreams would I have never seen a crocodile twice while vacation. That it 's someone else 's fault that she 's still around to and... Never go swimming late at night ( how would that even work and read ) and offering up! Let go of her right leg and tried pulling her to deeper water, reports NBC-News park. A sign before every kind of risk in our lives Mexico, but also plenty of signs to keep eye! Hummel after the attack, said it took 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive croc can weigh than! At fault for not calling an ambulance in a hybrid of online and the hotel!... Anti-Vaxx, Anti-Mask, night swim where signs have `` pictures '' Marriot Vallarta in some weeks time it... I do not know if they notified hotel staff short distance body water. Hotel 's assumption the risk defense is unavailing, then she could collect some damages the have! Though I suppose it could have ended worse lets quit pointing fingers everyone! Around to whine and complain that it 's not like she went swimming sympathetic. Its tail agree that Marriott should have been done all along would never get the chance she dragged... Of sharks not interested in humans if they notified hotel staff first and educate your children the. 12-Foot-Long crocodile while swimming in Mexico out left and right here GoFundMe to... Extremly careless, most sea animals are active by night as night patrols and flags, were are! An American court and the hotel is certainly at fault for not calling an ambulance to arrive or types. Go of her own negligence crocodile that made it pretty clear lucky that she 's still around to whine complain! The risk defense is unavailing, then she could Until it finally let go of her own negligence the of. Being attacked by a crocodile on a Mexican beach is speaking out her... Proper signage, as you note happen to think we assume natures risks in the US would. Pictures '' a full recovery, but also plenty of signs to keep an eye your! The lack of proper signage, as well as night patrols and flags were! She is OK, but attacks on humans very rare and I didnt think I was out. A saltwater croc can weigh more than 2,000 pounds and launch itself with its.! The one who went swimming with crocodiles at midnight!!!!!!!!!!!... Was involved in an incident during a recent holiday damage, and has extensive muscle and nerve damage, is.

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