Four individuals tragically lost their lives after being swept out to sea during a rescue effort. The incident occurred at approximately 7pm on Monday, March 9, as lawyer and parliamentary adviser Patricia del Pilar “Pilar” Bello Labe was walking along the Algarrobo coastline in Chile and was swept away by a large wave. Her partner, Felipe Hernández Bustos, attempted to save her, leading to a series of rescue attempts.
Eyewitnesses reported that three others also entered the water to assist but were also swept out to sea. Only Felipe survived, ultimately rescued by Navy personnel via a naval helicopter. One of the deceased individuals has been identified as Benjamin Robert “Ben” Wood.
Ben, a 43-year-old Connecticut native who had resided in Chile for nearly 13 years, was well-known in the local culinary scene, co-founding the burger chain El Honesto Mike. Active on social media, he frequently shared cooking tips and recipes, emphasizing the incorporation of beer in culinary creations.
In his final social media post to his 37,400 Instagram followers, Ben reflected on his professional journey in Chile, highlighting the closure of his beloved venture, Beervana, and expressing determination to embark on new endeavors with Craftwork Chile.
The third victim was Ben’s father, Norman Ray Wood, 77, who was visiting Chile, and the fourth victim was María José Duarte Ureta, 47, Ben’s partner and the head of sales at the brewpub Cervecería Tropera.
María Ignacia, María José’s daughter, described her as a remarkable woman with a strong will and abundant love to offer. Pilar and Felipe, who hailed from Puerto Montt, were in Algarrobo on a visit. Notably, a high-wave warning had been issued in the area over the preceding weekend.
Authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident, with initial findings indicating that all four victims perished due to drowning.