Alejandro Cerda had been in the water about 25 minutes Saturday when he went under, said Mayra Gonzales, a friend who was swimming with him. Cerda was under water for about five minutes, said Ms. Gonzales, who swam to the beach to get help.
Temple Fire & Rescue received the call at about 6:25 p.m. and responded, along with Temple police officers, Bell County sheriff’s deputies and Scott & White paramedics.
Rescuers pulled Cerda to the shore and performed CPR on him for about 20 minutes before he was transported to Scott & White Memorial Hospital.
Justice of the Peace David Barfield pronounced Cerda dead at 6:43 a.m. Monday.
An autopsy was not requested because there were witnesses to the event, Barfield said. Blood tests revealed no signs of alcohol or drugs in his system.
The body is being transported to Mexico where funeral services will take place.
