Darren and Kimberly Mizokami drowned at the El Salto de Belen waterfall in Nicoya, Guanacaste.
A husband and wife from Wyoming have been killed in an accident while visiting a waterfall during a vacation to Costa Rica, according to reports.
Darren and Kimberly Mizokami were at the El Salto de Belen waterfall in Nicoya, Guanacaste, Wednesday when Darren began having trouble staying afloat in the water, the Casper Star-Tribune reported.
Kimberly, 41, reportedly dived into the water, which was 23 feet deep, to help her husband, but then she too began having trouble.
A third U.S. tourist identified as a friend rushed to get help, but by the time she returned, both Darren and Kimberly Mizokami had drowned, the Star-Tribune reported.
The Red Cross was notified of the incident at about 11:35 a.m. The couple’s bodies were pulled from Rio Nosara just minutes before, at 11:29 a.m., Costa Rican newspaper La Nación reported.
Darren, 48, and Kimberly had arrived in Costa Rica last week, according to reports.
“Made it to Samara, feels like home,” he wrote on Facebook Tuesday, sharing a photo of a picturesque seating area.
Darren had been documenting the trip on social media, sharing photos and videos of the places they had visited. Earlier that day, he shared a photo of himself and Kimberly.
“So very, very tragic,” one mourner wrote. “Two wonderful lives gone too soon.”
Darren worked as a utilities supervisor at the Meter Services Department in Casper.
“Darren was an integral part of our organization” City Manager Carter Napier said in a statement Thursday, which marked Darren’s 25th year working for the community.
“Darren’s experience in multiple divisions made him very effective for the city, which benefited the residents as well," a rep for Casper said. "However, it was his positive attitude and commitment to his duties, even during difficult situations, that helped him excel and lift up those around him.”
Darren and Kimberly were married in April 2016, their social media profiles showed.
Kimberly was remembered for her heartfelt nature and accepting spirit.
“She had that kind of smile that pulled you in and made you feel warm and loved,” one friend wrote on Facebook. “Kim, teaching me that it is okay to be, dress, think differently then what everyone else thinks … She had the comfort of my own momma (sic). She was so silly and could joke about her with anything.”
A memorial fund has been established to aid the couple’s families at Reliant Federal Credit Union. Donations can be made to the Darren and Kim Mizokami Memorial Fund c/o Reliant Federal Credit Union 4015 Plaza Dr. Casper, WY 82604.
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