American Critically Hurt in Caye Caulker Kayak Accident

A 45-year-old American tourist was seriously injured in a boating accident near Caye Caulker yesterday afternoon. Mark Christopher Strus, a civil engineer from Michigan, USA, sustained a severe head injury while kayaking with his three children.  Just after four o’clock, Caye Caulker police responded to a call from the polyclinic, where they found Strus being treated for a large, bleeding laceration to the back of his head. According to initial investigations, Strus and his children were kayaking on the northern side of the island when a boat, en route to San Pedro Town, approached at a moderate speed.  Strus reportedly attempted to maneuver his kayak out of the way, but the boat was too close. He and his son jumped from the kayak, and Strus was struck by the vessel while underwater.  The captain of the boat, identified as Wilson Gonzalez, a 33-year-old Belizean tour guide/captain assisted Strus and transported him to the Caye Caulker Polyclinic. The vessel involved was a 25-foot skiff, described as having a white hull with a grey bottom, blue stripe, and white deck, named “Reel Y Hooked.”  Strus’ injuries were described as critical but stable. He was issued a medico-legal form and subsequently airlifted to Belize City for further treatment, escorted by Police Constable Usher.  Wilson Gonzalez has been detained, and a urine sample was obtained from him as part of the ongoing investigation.