A Prince George’s County, Maryland, US family is mourning the loss of two Guyana-born brothers after a tragic accident on vacation.
Ryan Fortune, 46, and Rawle Fortune, 40, drowned in Puerto Rico on a trip to celebrate their upcoming birthdays, according to their father, Arnold Fortune. WUSA9, a Maryland-based news organisation said that it contacted the Puerto Rico Police Department to confirm the cause of death, but has yet to receive a response.
The elder Fortune tells WUSA9 that Rawle would have turned 41 on Nov. 17, and said his son leaves behind three children. Rawle was a veteran, having served four years in the Marine Corps, and was currently working in real estate, according to his father.
Ryan would have turned 47 on Nov. 28, according to Arnold Fortune. The report said that he leaves behind a wife and four children. Ryan was a long-time Metro employee.
Ryan’s wife told NBC Washington that the brothers went swimming in the ocean and drowned near their hotel.
“We thought they were fine, and you can’t really tell how far they were out, and then all of a sudden they disappeared,” Nakia Wilson-Fortune said through tears. “We couldn’t see them, and I couldn’t find them.”
“Our condolences go out to Ryan’s family, friends, and co-workers following this tragic incident,” Metro said in a statement. “He will be deeply missed as a part of the Metro family, where he began in 2003 and was a Rail Superintendent. Counseling and support services will be available to employees that need it”, the report said.
Arnold Fortune said they are working with officials in Puerto Rico to have both bodies transported back to Maryland. He added that his family came to the United States 37 years ago from Guyana, where both of his sons were born.
The brothers are also survived by one sister, Arnold Fortune told WUSA9.