HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 071-2017 Bal Harbour Police Department - Incident on BeachBAL HARBOUR
- VILLAGE -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER
LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 071-2017
To: Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager C_-
Date: April 13, 2017
Subject: Bal Harbour Police Department - Incident on Beach
The purpose of this Letter to Council (LTC) is to transmit to you information regarding an
incident which took place at the 10200 block of Bal Harbour Beach on Tuesday, April 11,
2017.
At approximately 2:40 p.m. the Bal Harbour Police Department received a call for
assistance in reference to an individual struggling in the water behind the Kenilworth
property. Upon the arrival of the police officers the victim was on shore and officers
immediately began to provide first aid to include Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
The medical care was then continued by arriving Miami -Dade Fire Rescue personnel.
The victim was then transported to Aventura Hospital where he was ultimately pronounced
deceased. The investigation into the death of the victim was then turned over to the Miami -
Dade Police Department. Bal Harbour police officers remained at the hospital in order to
provide the family with any assistance and then transported the family to the Kenilworth
later that evening.
The investigation into the incident revealed that the victim's adult son lost sight of the
victim and swam to the area where he had last observed his father. He was able to locate
his father and began to pull him back to shore. He was then assisted by other beachgoers
in returning the victim to shore.
In conversation with the family we learned that the victim was world renowned medical
researcher, Dr. Mark Wainberg who is recognized for his part in the 1989 discovery of the
anti -viral drug 3TC which, in combination with other medication is used to treat the HIV
Virus. The Village has fielded numerous media request from Canadian news sources
following this incident and has responded to each request.
We regret to have to inform you of this tragic news. If you have any questions or need any
additional information, please feel free to contact me.
JMG/MdIR