Sadly, tragedy has struck again in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. It comes less than a month after the alleged electrocution at the Sonoran Sea Resort. This time, the sad news in the small seaside resort town happened on the 4th of July. The victims were a family who was in town celebrating the holiday weekend. The tragedy was an Arizona man drowned in the Sea of Cortez in the area by the well-known restaurant/bar, Wrecked at the Reef.
The identity of the man drowned has been released 42-year-old Robert Perkins, a tourist visiting from Peoria, Arizona, northwest of Phoenix. According to 20-year old Anisha Perkins, her dad and a friend simply set out to “go for a dip” in the water on the hot day. “It took a minute,” said Anisha for the friend “to turn around and see my dad was not there anymore.”
His body was discovered by a fisherman near the pier. Sadly, Anisha Perkins was first to try CPR to resuscitate her father. Such was the traumatic calling of his oldest child.
Emergency Calls for Help
Multiple emergency calls were made regarding a man who appeared to be drowning in the Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of California). They were placed by people at the Wrecked at the Reef establishment. All reported seeing a person struggling in the water in front of the restaurant.
Emergency rescue efforts were led by the Puerto Peñasco Fire Department. However, the bomberos and other paramedic staff members who rushed to the man drowned i the hopes of saving his life. Nonetheless, it was determined Mr. Perkins passed away by the time they could get him to the beach.
We send our thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of the victim, Robert Perkins. He was a devoted family man and father of six children.
Rocky Point Drownings Are Rare
Like any open body of water, the Sea of Cortez can be unpredictable and dangerous at times. One added reason for this is because Sandy Beach is not patrolled by lifeguards. Still, stories such as this man drowned are rare. However rare though, it doesn’t stop the shock or sadness.
In November 2022, a Flagstaff, Arizona couple went missing on a kayaking trip. After an extensive search, the bodies of the two drowning victims were later recovered.