BLUFFTON, SC (August 13, 2012/10:00 AM) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Hardeeville man who apparently drowned in a pond on Solomon Ln. yesterday evening.
Twenty-one year old Benito Gonzalez Lus was pronounced dead at the scene after his body was recovered from a pond behind a home at 36 Solomon Ln. Witnesses advised that Lus had jumped into the water to rescue a friend, but had never resurfaced.
Twenty-one year old Rafael Rosales-Bulmaro reported that he two other friends had taken a boat out into the pond, not realizing that it had a hole in the bottom. When the boat began to sink, the occupants jumped from the boat into the water. Bulmaro advised that he could not swim and began yelling for help. At that time, Lus, who had been sitting on bank of the pond, jumped in to assist.
Bulmaro and the other boaters were able to make it safely to the shore; however, Lus went under and was not seen again. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team responded and began searching. Lus was located approximately an hour later.
Alcohol is believed to have been involved; however, no foul play is suspected. The investigation will remain active pending results of the autopsy.
MAKE THE CALL, STAY ANONYMOUS, EARN a REWARD: To report crime, citizens can call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or text the word TIPSC with a message to CRIMES (274637).
