Senior Fends Off Thugs

Cruising Senior Citizens Fend Off Thugs - One Casualty

Travelling to foreign countries usually brings to mind images of stunning, exotic landscapes; tasty delicacies; and warm, interesting, and welcoming people. Or so the ads from the cruise ships, 5-star hotels, and guided tours that we see would have us believe.

Occasionally, when choosing to venture out and explore these unknown lands; though we may find our journey more adventurous, we might also find our personal safety compromised. Perhaps a minor flaw to the “road less travelled” philosophy.

On Wednesday, Feb. 21, a group of 12 senior citizens, while enjoying a private onshore excursion on the beach in Limon, Costa Rica, were accosted by three young assailants, at least one of which was armed.

Refusing to become victims to these thugs, these seniors vigorously defended themselves and were able to successfully restrain and disarm one of the assailants. During the course of the struggle, one of the tourists — retired from the U.S. military — managed to put the armed assailant, Mr. Warner Segura, in a head lock.

The struggle was apparently so intense that Mr. Segura’s clavicle was broken, and he was later pronounced dead due to asphyxiation when taken by the senior tourists to the local Red Cross. The other two assailants fled the scene during the incident and were not identified.

There were no charges pressed against the tourists, and after some questioning from the local authorities were able to continue on with their Carnival Cruise Line vacation. Louis Fernandez, the police chief in Limon, stated, “They were in their right to defend themselves after being held up.” Hernandez also went on to state that Segura had a history of previous assault charges.

Thankfully, none of the cruising seniors were hurt in this incident, though one of the guests was understandably treated for anxiety. Somehow, I predict these unnamed seniors — and the retired military gentleman in particular — who rightfully refused to become victims, will become very popular travelling companions.