A British man has tragically drowned while on holiday in Colombia with his new wife and friends. James Winkles, 30, from the Isle of Wight, was found dead on El Laguito Beach in Cartagena on Wednesday morning.
Mr Winkles had been staying at a luxury hotel in the El Laguito area for 12 days to celebrate his wedding. He disappeared the previous night after reportedly entering the water in adverse weather and sea conditions. His body was discovered floating face down near the shoreline around 7am.
Emergency services confirmed the tourist had died, and his body was taken to a morgue for further investigation. Local reports show harrowing footage of a woman, believed to be his wife, crouching over his covered body and weeping.
Mr Winkles worked for a family-run car dealership in Ryde, where colleagues said they were 'in shock' and 'too upset to speak'. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated: 'We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Colombia.'
Authorities have warned swimmers to be cautious, advising against entering the sea in strong winds or when waves exceed 1.9 metres. This is the second drowning off El Laguito Beach this year, following the death of 21-year-old chef Samuel Peñates Cortina in February.
