The beginning of "Jaws" stopped me from ever swimming at night. She said she and her friend had decided to go for a late night swim at the resort, but they weren't even in the water when the crocodile emerged from the ocean, grabbed her right leg and pulled her into the water. Kianas friends have set upa GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the teenagers medical expenses and recovery. While going for a late-night swim in Puerto Vallarta, it didn't take long for Kiana Hummel to encounter trouble in the form of a 12-foot crocodile. Be Careful digging in the sand on the beach. It was four or five times. And since English is an international language, not only having signs for the myriad foreign tourists in English would make sense, but having signs posted in the lobby and something in the room. Honestly, I will never forget it when the crocodiles head came above water. Jul 29, 2021, 5:00 AM. I do not know if they notified hotel staff. Arrest warrant issued for top NFL Draft prospect Jalen Carter, ABC7 Chicago says farewell Meteorologist Phil Schwarz, $1M winning Powerball ticket sold in Chicago. Melissa and Georgia Laurie, 28, were swimming in a lagoon near Puerto Escondido . The croc or shark or any wildlife is just in addition to what I mentioned above, so people, don't go for a "swim" at night, its just plain dangerous. It's one thing if you've swam in some body of water you're familiar with and you "do it all the time" then sure I'd understand the lack of having your guard up. I was in Puerto Vallarta for years and the river crocs were well known to hang out on the 6th green of the near by golf courseright on the river. The scary incident unfolded at a Marriott resort in Puerto Vallarta. Terrifying: Crocodile Attack At Marriott Puerto Vallarta, Teen attacked by crocodile at Mexico beach resort. It's one thing if you've swam in some body of water you're familiar with and you "do it all the time" then sure I'd understand the lack of having your guard up. Hummel said she remained calm even as she got dragged under the water. It went for my right leg and pulled me under the water and then went for my left leg and pulled me back into the water again," she said. 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. Teen details crocodile attack at Mexico beach resort Kiana Hummel, 18, is recovering at a hospital after she was attacked by a crocodile while vacationing at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa on Mexico's Pacific coast. Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Hopefully this American tourist has learned her lesson and will avail herself to PROPER Insurance coverage next time she leaves the country for vacation. This all depends on whether she can get her case into an American court, which will probably not be that difficult in that Marriott secured her business by advertising in the United States. The nerve! Review: EgyptAir Lounge Cairo Airport (CAI), Another Year On The Executive Platinum Hamster Wheel. All Rights Reserved. It must be something that has developed after I left Vallarta in July 1988! Hotel staff warned guests to avoid the water. She made a personal choice, now she is living with the consequences. Have something to tell us about this article? She spoke to a news outlet about what happened and a spokesperson for the resort has come forward with a statement. A woman who saved her twin sister from a crocodile reportedly punched the animal in the head to get her sibling to . Why is the default reaction to assign blame? Comparing air travel, where English is the universal language of ATC and pilots to any other company is just laughable. There's a simple reason for this: crocodiles rarely attack humans. Gee you're all blaming her for going swimming when the news report says she was SITTING ON THE BEACH WITH A FRIEND and was DRAGGED INTO THE WATER by the crocodile!!! I dont have a lot of sympathy for people who make risky choices. Nevada native Kiana Hummel, 18, was swimming just before midnight in the ocean near her Marriot. Patti youre really striking out left and right here. Typical American response - who can I blame and Sue for a complete act of nature. If you played it, you would know she wasnt in the water swimming when a croc bit her. As for the girl, I wish her a speedy recovery. Your feedback is important in helping us keep our community safe. A 12-foot crocodile nearly killed a vacationing teacher in Mexico. The company says "appropriate signage" was properly in place. Even the local children sometimes swim in the rivers knowing this. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Absolutely no one should ever go swimming at night, in an unfamiliar resort. There are many things that can happen when you swim in the ocean- anywhere, particularly late at night, in a foreign country. I think it's on the hotel at the time of the incident to then assist the guest with emergency attention. They also said that the previous night, around 4:30 AM, one of men in their party was chased to the beach stairs by a crocodile (it is a narrow beach). "Until that moment, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought a crocodile was on that beach. Fortunately there were some brave people who heard screams, and came to the teens rescue. I've noticed two safety signs, all of which are written in multiple languages. She was going to go for a late night swim (just before midnight), when she was attacked by a 12-foot crocodile. Absolutely, the hotel doesn't own the sea and not responsible for teaching its guests common sense. What an idiot! It's not like she went into the hotel pool! 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. Thats what travel insurance is for. Workers with the Puerto Vallarta water and sewage utility. Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. Kiana Hummel, 18, (right) was supposed to have a fun getaway in Mexico before college, but the trip turned into a real life nightmare when she was attacked by a 12-foot crocodile. I understand the company wants to be careful with how it phrases things for legal reasons, but thats one of the most callous statements Ive ever seen from a company for an incident like this. We lived in Puerto Vallarta for a while in the marina area (where the Marriott is located). I visit this hotel frequently. Please stop. Hummel described the attack from her hospital bed. but they say they saw it only afterwards anyway so they didn't see it any when it was lit by daylight. People are going to assume if there's a beach it's safe to use. I loved mexico because of the more laid back proceed at your own risk attitude. A California teenage girl was dragged by a crocodile twice while on vacation in Mexico. A sign is no different than holding someone accountable for how they used an app because they didn't read the 99 page terms of agreement. The reptile finally released her right leg and, while trying to escape, grabbed her by her left ankle and dragged her back into the water. Common sense seems to be an exceedingly rare virtue these days.. That makes no sense. A TEEN is lucky to be alive after she fought off a 12-foot-long crocodile while swimming in Mexico. Watch on. Miraculously, she survived and didn't lose any limbs, although she does have extensive muscle and tissue damage all the way to the bones and is currently unable to walk. It's a tragedy but no one is really to blame (except god, who likes to work miracles and challenge us at the same time?). She continued to hit the crocodile as hard as she could until it finally let go of her right leg. How would the Marriott have any responsibility here? I just went into shock.. The girls mother immediately flew from San Francisco after she heard of the incident on Facetime. T wo U.S. tourists were attacked by a crocodile at a resort in Mexico after going for a late-night swim. Anyway, looking forward to staying here in October, but not going to tell the wife about this until were there. Should not have been in the sea at night where crocodiles are present, no fault of the hotel at all and basic common sense. We can confirm that the proper signage, as well as night patrols and flags, were and are correctly placed. Saw one sunning on the rocks! That's when a 12-foot crocodile chomped down on her right leg and dragged her screaming into the water. I'm going to Marriot Vallarta in some weeks time and it's in the middle of a quite huge city. MEXICO CITY (AP) Two U.S. tourists were injured by a crocodile at Mexico's Puerto Vallarta resort . However, that smell is masked by the very distinctive smell of marijuana being smoked on the streets of Puerto Vallarta. I don't. Marriott and the hotel have absolutely no responsibility here. How many people have found themselves walking along somewhere at night while on vacation when they would never do the same at home. There are signs, (albeit in Spanish in a SPANISH SPEAKING country,) warning about crocs. Afraid of sharks? 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. The attack happened just before midnight at the Marriott resort in Puerto Vallarta. She wasn't traipsing through the everglades. A recent crocodile attack in Puerto Vallarta was in July 2021 when a river crocodile attacked an 18-year-old guest at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta, shortly before going on a nighttime swim. 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). Made me laugh how dare in Mexico they dont Have English signs! Kiana and Sarah said they learned that there was a warning of crocodiles at the beach, however, they said it was a small sign and written in Spanish. Instead a Marriott spokesperson released the following statement about the incident: 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. I turn around and I saw 1 lone horse charging towards a mess of people including me. On a relaxing getaway that turned into a nightmare, an 18-year-old girl from California was attacked by a 12-foot-long crocodile while on vacation in Mexico earlier this month. Im obviously no lawyer (and the fact that this took place in Mexico with an American hotel group only complicates it further), but I do have a few thoughts: I dont know where exactly fault lies here. She remains hospitalized, though is now back in the United States. I cant see how this is Marriotts fault in any way, unless of course, they put the crocodiles in the river ?!?. It's like 6ft tall, metal, and prominent, not some hand-lettered thing stuck into the sand. As for (2), I find Marriotts reported hesitancy concerning, but did none of the bystanders have their phones? 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. I happen to think we assume natures risks in the oceans. 1/200. I was in hyde Crazy stuff happens especially on vacation. My Market Kitchen "She managed to survive with no missing toes, no missing limbs, no broken bones, just massive muscle and tendon damage," said Martinez, a medical assistant at UCSF Medical Center. I went into a state of shock. The civil defense office in the western state of Jalisco said Wednesday the first American suffered bites to his legs, arm, abdomen, and chest. Really surprised it was written by Lucky! Candidate for a Darwin Award right there. I agree that Marriott should have been more vigilant in warning guests, as you note. Always take care of yourself. As Hummel fought against. Im less concerned about the responsibility of Marriott in terms of warning about swimming; there are always risks associated with open water swimming. 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. I just went into shock.". The Madness of Crowds. Glad to hear she's OK, but swimming in the ocean at night by yourself is incredibly risky for a number of reasons including having your chances of getting bit by a shark or in this case a croc increased as they are more active during this time. I was often water treading for hours! It's not like she went into the hotel pool! So it must be the Americans that brought them there. I could be wrong, but I believe that to be the case. WHO THE HELL GOES INTO THE BEACH LATE AT NIGHT?? Colorado tourists are brutally attacked by saltwater crocodile after one of them went swimming in the ocean at $4k-a-night Mexican hotel in popular resort Puerto Vallarta Don't assume someone else will. The attacker fled. Helloooo!!! A crocodile attacked a young tourist at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta hotel in Jalisco. Spent a week at Marina Puerto Vallarta, saw signs said beware of Crocodiles. There are numerous other animals that can be viewed at El Cora sanctuary including a tejon (Mexican raccoon), turtles, parrots . It is known for its beaches, water sports and nightlife scene. We lived in Puerto Vallarta for a while in the marina area (where the Marriott is located). Chrissie Watkins it toomuch??? Our staff is trained in how to respond to safety matters appropriately. In case people still doesn't get it, it is dangerous to swim at night, period. My concern is more on the alleged delay in medical attention. RIGHT BEFORE MIDNIGHT? A hospital trip there can be pricey. It is irrefutable. I heard about the attack at the pool, from a large group that was vacationing there. The incident happened at the Marriott resort in Puerto Vallarta just before midnight when Kiana Hummel and her friend decided to go swimming late. When the second person entered the water to help, he was attacked by . We review our plans and procedures often and work closely with the appropriate authorities on an ongoing basis. 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. From a liability/risk management standpoint, even in a country like Mexico, you can't monitor a beach in a situation such as this 24/7. The reforms would cut spending, First migrant caravan of the year left southern Mexico with a thousand people heading to the US, Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) On Tuesday, February 28, the first migrant caravan of mostly Central Americans left the southern border of Mexico with approximately a thousand people heading to the United States, despite the new immigration restrictions applied in the country. Crocks have also been spotted recently in the ocean at Los Muertes beach in old town in broad daylight. I do not know if they notified hotel staff. If you played it, you would know she wasnt in the water swimming when a croc bit her. Everybody is so afraid of lawsuits that all risk is removed from life. Fortunately Hummel survived and didnt lose any limbs. She. "And I didn't think I was getting out that second time. Alone. And it's not like the hotel has only phone to call an ambulance, anyone can call. Kiana Hummel, 18, managed to keep. HUGE assumption on your part. That she had to pay thousands of dollars? Been swimming with them for years. It could go something like this On Thursday, March 9th at 4 pm, Enrique, Mexicos President: There is more democracy in Mexico than could exist in the United States, MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexicos president said Tuesday his country is more democratic than the United States. February 23, 2023 Puerto Vallarta Articles, . I was at the same hotel at the same time, but did not witness the attack. By all indications Hummel wasnt doing anything reckless and didnt in any way think she was at risk, or she wouldnt have gone into the ocean. 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. Glad she is ok!! 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. I believe the Westin and Marriott, which are separated by a few blocks, are both Marriott-managed. 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. The civil . Kiana Hummel was enjoying her. Swimming in any ocean at night is dangerous (as others pointed out) and blaming the hotel for a wild animal attack in the wild environment (the ocean) is just strange. Kiana Hummel, who lives in California's Bay Area, said she and a friend decided to go for a late-night swim when the croc jumped out of the water and grabbed her right leg. @marcusmoore has more. "We were throwing shoes. Its not like there arent salt water crocs and anyway they can swim in any body of water. THAT IS ACTIVE HUNTING TIME FOR MANY ANIMALS< INCLUDING THOSE IN WATER. Our staff is trained in how to respond to safety matters appropriately. Patti your ignorance is showing and its not cute. "I'm on the phone with her, she's yelling, 'Get me an ambulance, get me an ambulance to the hospital,'" Martinez recalled of her daughter. Kiana Hummel, 18, is recovering at a hospital after she was attacked by a crocodile while vacationing at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa on Mexico's Pacific coast. A late night swim in the ocean in the dark is extremly careless, most sea animals are active by night. It all depends on the facts. We review our plans and procedures often and work closely with the appropriate authorities on an ongoing basis. A witness, Sarah Laney, 34, a high school teacher from St. Louis, was with friends when she heard Hummel's screams and rushed to the beach to find Hummel's friend desperately trying to pull her to safety. 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 Vallarta . But since the sign is in Spanish not French, I'd say it's definitely not Lacoste! Melissa and Georgia Laurie, 28, from Berkshire, had been swimming in the lagoon, about 10 miles from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, on the south-east coast of the country, when Melissa was attacked.. Unlike the JW Marriott Los Cabos, which is not managed by Marriott. I agree with James here that any alleged delay in calling an ambulance is troubling as an artery could have bled out, etc. Melissa Laurie, 28, was swimming in a lagoon at night with her twin sister Georgia on a beach located about 10 miles from the city of Puerto Escondido, a popular surf resort with British tourists, when the crocodile attacked, grabbing Melissa and dragged her under the water. Other than that, she is really really lucky. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. 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