Heartbreaking: 30-Year-Old British Tourist Who Drowned While Swimming in Colombia, Where He Planned to Get Married, Identified

THE Brit newlywed who tragically drowned on his dream Colombia holiday has been named.

James Michael Winkles, 30, sadly in the sea off the port city of Cartagena.

Newlywed James Winkles, 30, drowned on holiday in ColombiaCredit: JamPress The Brit holidaymaker touched down in the country around a fortnight before the tragedyCredit: JamPress He had been staying in Cartagena with a group of friends and his newlywed wifeCredit: Getty

The holidaymaker, who came from the Isle of Wight, was visiting the coastal resort with a group of friends and his newlywed wife after touching down on March 9.

They were reportedly staying at a luxury hotel in a popular tourist peninsula and residential neighbourhood called El Laguito.

James’ body was found washed up on a nearby beach on the morning of March 22 after an alarm had been raised at 7am.

An FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Colombia.”

Sea conditions at the time he went into the water were described as rough.

A probe into the tragedy was ongoing today although the tourist’s death has been described as accidental.

His body has been taken to a city forensic medicine institute so a post-mortem can take place.

Respected newspaper El Universal was one of the multiple Colombian media outlets that named and pictured the tragic tourist.

It reported overnight: “James Michael Winkles, 30 years old, and originally from , had been in Cartagena for 12 days exploring its culture, landscapes, people, and history.

“He arrived on Monday March 9 and stayed at a luxurious hotel in the El Laguito area, as confirmed by the authorities.

“This man was found lifeless, floating on a beach in that exclusive location. It happened around 7am yesterday, Sunday, March 22.

“Apparently, he went missing the night before.”

James, who worked for a family-run car dealership in Ryde, was the second person to drown off the coast of the resort this year.

On February 7, chef Samuel Peñates Cortina, 21, was swept away whilst swimming in the sea with his girlfriend.

His body washed up three days later on a beach on the island of Tierra Bomba.

In January, two Brit tourists cheated death after the sailing boat they were on was smashed by a cargo vessel near Cartagena and sunk.

The 30-year-old reportedly worked for family-run car dealership in Ryde, Isle of WightCredit: JamPress Cartagena de Indias, Colombia – January 18, 2023: Hilton Hotel and residential buildings during sunset in El Laguito neighborhoodCredit: Getty

Colombian naval officers rescued the holidaymakers and 18 others on board the boat after they managed to save themselves by jumping into emergency life rafts after the captain sounded a Mayday alert.

Their rescuers published video footage at the time showing them helping the stricken travellers to safety and taking them to dry land where they were checked over by doctors.

Miraculously all survived unharmed despite the near-tragedy.

The tourists were thought to have been nearing the end of a five-day, four-night tour from to starting in the San Blas Islands, a stunning archipelago off Panama’s coast.

James’ tragic death comes just days after another while on holiday in Bali.

The 39-year-old was swimming at Nyang-Nyang Beach when he is believed to have been struck by the swell and pulled away by a rip current.

He was already lifeless when shocked beachgoers discovered his body floating near the shore of the Pecatu village on the morning of March 15.

Footage showed two braving the strong waves as they battled to pull the man ashore.

arrived and confirmed that he was dead before taking him to the local hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Officers carried the Brit to an evacuation point near the beach after he was recovered from the water.

An ambulance then took the man to Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar for verification and examination.

Authorities said they were investigating the cause of his death.