{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreibciasaeqwbq7kdw2wgfhfc4bzbk3plx3iiz3ydx5orlygkaj2twq",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:b7afdzqsmwksxypciqnplglk/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhsnqrvbjc32"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreifiigvzb7np3weko3iupmghlvph22ywkbzucjcyaisiydzhlc6v2m"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 97636
  },
  "path": "/2026/03/24/newlywed-british-man-dies-drowning-dream-holiday-wife-friends-27645305/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-24T13:07:50.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "News",
    "World",
    "Colombia",
    "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office",
    "Isle of Wight",
    "weather",
    "Foreign and Commonwealth Office",
    "died after drowning in a late evening swim.",
    "Benidorm",
    "check our news page",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "James Winkles was pronounced dead after his body washed up on shore (Picture: Jam Press)\n\nA newlywed Brit has drowned on his dream holiday to a coastal resort in Colombia.\n\nJames Winkles, who came from the Isle of Wight, was visiting the coastal resort with a group of friends, including his newlywed wife.\n\nHis body was found washed up on El Laguito Beach in Cartagena, Colombia, on Sunday morning.\n\nJames had been in the city, located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, for 12 days, according to local media.\n\nHe was reportedly staying at a luxury hotel in the El Laguito area to celebrate his wedding with friends.\n\nThe 30-year-old went missing the night before after allegedly entering the water in adverse weather and sea conditions.\n\nAn investigation into his death is ongoing (Picture: Jam Press)\n\nThe emergency services arrived on the scene and confirmed he was dead.\n\nHis body was taken to a nearby morgue to establish the circumstances leading up to his suspected drowning.\n\nThe investigation into the British tourist’s death is ongoing.\n\nJames, who worked for a family-run car dealership in Ryde, was the second person to drown off the coast of El Laguito Beach so far this year.\n\nOn February 7, chef Samuel Peñates Cortina, 21, was swept away while swimming in the sea with his girlfriend.\n\nHis body was found three days later on a beach on the island of Tierra Bomba.\n\nThe authorities have urged swimmers to exercise caution when entering the water.\n\nThe couple had been celebrating their wedding (Picture: Jam Press)\n\nThey said to avoid entering the sea if the wind is strong and waves exceed 1.9 metres in height, waiting a while after eating, and to avoid excessive alcohol consumption.\n\nThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed yesterday: ‘We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Colombia.’\n\nLast August, a British man on holiday in Benidorm died after drowning in a late evening swim.\n\nThe 31-year-old was found lifeless after struggling to make it back to land, police confirmed.\n\nHe had jumped into the water at Benidorm’s Levante Beach with at least two other British friends, who returned unharmed.\n\nBystanders tried unsuccessfully to rescue the drowning tourist before the coastguard also failed to locate him in the water.\n\n******Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.******\n\n**For more stories like this,** check our news page.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Newlywed British man dies after drowning on dream holiday with his wife and friends"
}