Tragedy on the Rio Dulce, Guatemala

Two nights ago while anchored on the Rio Dulce in Guatemala an American couple were boarded and robbed. Following is a quote of the incident from www.riodulcechisme.com. Our thoughts and prayers go to Nancy and her family. For cruisers in the Rio or headed to the Rio please heed the current recommendations on where and where not to anchor or preferably go into a marina and please be careful.


At approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday night, 4 men with machetes boarded an anchored vessel, with apparent intent to rob. When they were met with resistance, it became a cruisers biggest nightmare.

Dan and Nancy Dryden had bought SUNDAY'S CHILD several months ago, and were looking forward to years of pleasant sailing experiences. They were anchored off the small cove near Monkey Bay Marina and Lubi's house when the incident occurred. Details are still somewhat sketchy, but in resisting the robbers, Dan was killed and Nancy, although seriously wounded, was able to use the VHF radio to summon help.

The stations and boaters that still had their radios on at that hour came to assist, and Nancy was transported to a private hospital in Morales, reportedly with a punctured lung.

The vessel has been secured, and all officials, including the U.S. Embassy, are aware of the attack. If anyone has information that may be pertinent to this incident, please make contact through the Chisme Vindicator at photoeditor@riodulcechisme.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The community is mourning Dan's senseless death, and understandably, is in shock that this could happen to one of us. Family members are en route from the states, and friends here are doing what they can to help Nancy until they arrive.

Latest update: (edited) "4 men with machetes boarded an anchored vessel" Nancy has undergone surgery, and is doing well, expected to have no complications. She stated that she could identify the attackers in a line up.

Rick at Ram Marine has offered to put the boat on the hard at no charge, for as long as she needs.

Update:

The Vice-President of Guatemala, Rafael Espado, has taken an personal interest in this incident. He phoned the hospital today, reported Dr. Rolando, and would like to meet with Nancy Dryden. As he is unable to travel here at this time, after several proposals on how the logistics would be worked out, it was agreed that the family members would be picked up upon arrival in Guatemala City Monday night, and flown to their mother at the hospital in Morales on Tuesday morning.

The Inguat people are invaluable in coordinating, and will be assisting in the movement of Dan's body from the funeral home in Fronteras to join the family for a flight back to the city, where Nancy will enter a private hospital for another day or two. It was important to Nancy for the children to see their dad before he was cremated. Thanks to the Vice President, this will happen. Dan will be cremated, and the family will be here with Nancy for an undisclosed period of time.

We are all sending best wishes to Nancy, who is recovering very well, according to the doctors. She appreciates all that is being done for her and is very grateful to the boaters that assisted, as well as all the Guatemalans who have shown how much they, too, care.