Doctor, nurse and entrepreneur from Texas are the three drowned in Middle Caicos

#MiddleCaicos, Turks and Caicos Islands – August 7, 2019 – An emergency room doctor, a part-time nurse and a transport services company owner are the three American tourists who drowned on Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands on Monday August 5, 2019; news of the tragedy has elicited comments of shock and heartbreak from loved ones back home in Texas.

Dr. Richard Okoloise is described as an ‘excellent emergency room physician who loved to travel and who loved his daughter’.

Thirty-four-year-old Irma Barrera, a part-time nurse along with her husband of ten years, Roy Perez, 38 were travelling with their eldest daughter, according to reports from family members. 

Barrera and Roy Perez, who according to his LinkedIn profile, owns Caliber Transport Services, had left their younger daughters – ages two and four – at home.

A search on Monday, involving TCI Police, Department of Coastal Resources and civilians like Reverend Evan Williams was suspended on Monday night; at that time two bodies including first found, Barrera, were retrieved and transported to Providenciales.

The search, for the third missing person resumed on Tuesday morning with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard.

District Administrator for Middle Caicos, Frederick Johnson made the discovery around 6 a.m. yesterday, according to a Police statement.  The final body found was that of Dr. Okoloise and now all three remains are being held at the morgue in Providenciales. 

Relatives are due to arrive in Providenciales today to assist with the two girls, who were found traumatized on the beach.  The teens have been in the care of the Social Services Department since Monday afternoon.

The five tourists, made up of two families from Texas; Lake Jackson and Sugar Land are believed to have been caught in a ‘quick-rising’ tide as they attempted to cross the half-mile distance between Bambarra Beach and Pelican Cay. Authorities have expressed grave sorrow on the loss and have given highest commendation for the teamwork in this horrible tragedy, which is described as ‘the worst the Turks and Caicos has ever seen on its beaches.’