A vacation in paradise turned into a nightmare for a Texas couple at a Mexican beach resort when they were both electrocuted in a hot tub, resulting in the husband’s death and severe injuries to his wife. Lizette Zambrano is now speaking out about the tragic incident that claimed the life of her husband, Jorge, during their stay in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.
“I still can’t believe it. A very good man was taken away,” Lizette Zambrano tearfully expressed in an exclusive interview with ABC News. The couple’s idyllic getaway abruptly turned tragic when, according to Zambrano, faulty wiring in the resort sent a lethal electrical current into the hot tub they were using.
Zambrano has initiated legal action against the resort, seeking accountability for her husband’s wrongful death and the trauma she endured. In a poignant interview aired on “Good Morning America,” Zambrano recounted the horrifying moments leading up to the electrocution. “The last thing I remember him saying is Oh s—. And it’s the same time that I felt the first electric shock and then it happened over and over and over and I didn’t hear him again.”
The lawsuit alleges that when bystanders attempted to help the couple, they too were shocked, as “the metal from the objects carried the electrical current and began shocking the rescuers.” This detail underscores the severity and widespread nature of the electrical hazard.
Lizette Zambrano speaking about the electrocution incident on Good Morning America
Zambrano vividly described the chaotic scene: “A lot of people jumped in, but they kept jumping out because the shocks were so strong.” Despite the dangerous conditions, Lizette was eventually pulled from the hot tub, reportedly without a pulse. CPR was administered, and she was subsequently airlifted to a hospital where she regained consciousness.
The lawsuit filed by Zambrano seeks $1 million in damages from Casago, the vacation rental facilitator. The claim emphasizes the prolonged suffering Jorge endured, stating “Jorge was being electrocuted and drowned under water for 10 minutes.” The lawsuit further alleges a critical failure on the part of the defendants for not activating the emergency shut-off for the jacuzzi prior to or during the incident.
Casago, however, has refuted responsibility, issuing a statement that places the onus on the homeowner’s association. According to Casago, “the Sonoran Sea is a condo resort and the homeowners association is responsible for all common areas, including the maintenance of the swimming pool, hot tubs, and grounds. Casago, a vacation rental company, is not involved in any management or maintenance of the resort.”
Zambrano’s legal counsel has questioned the resort’s safety protocols and their implementation, highlighting the apparent lack of preventative measures. ABC News’ attempts to reach the homeowner’s association for comment have been unsuccessful.
While hot tub electrocutions remain statistically rare, safety experts advise immediate action if an electrical shock is suspected in water. The recommended protocol is to move away from the potential source of electricity and exit the water without touching any metal fixtures like railings or ladders, which could intensify the shock. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of electrical safety, particularly in and around water, and the devastating consequences of negligence.
