According to Valley Baptist Medical Center, the 20-year-old injured in an accident at Schlitterbahn has died.
On Wednesday, Nicolas Benavides and another Schlitterbahn Island Resort employee were working on the resort’s wave pool.
Sources close to Action 4 News said a mechanical door was up overhead, when it suddenly slammed down, hitting Benavides in the head, leaving he and the other worker pinned.
Benavides was kept on life support for several days so his organs could be donated, but hospital officials said he died over the weekend.
Action 4 News will provide an update on the condition of the other employee as soon as it becomes available. The 27-year-old was taken to Valley Regional Hospital.
Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the case. Grief counselors will be at Schlitterbahn throughout the week.
Funeral arrangements have been made in Brownsville:
Visitation: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Darling Mouser East Chapel
Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. on Thursday at the St. Joseph Church on St.Francis
To celebrate Nicolas’ life, his mother Monica is asking for family and friends to wear Miami Heat colors-red, black and white.
Statement from Schlitterbahn:
"It is with deep sadness that we report that our employee, Nico Benavides, who was injured during a March 6th maintenance accident at Schlitterbahn Resort in South Padre, has died. The other employee injured in the accident is out of the hospital, recovering. Our investigation into what happened is ongoing; at this point we have no further details. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our employee - - we will continue to support them during this difficult time.
Nico Benavides is a member of a family that has been part of our park family for generations. Their family helped build this park. Our families have known one another for years.
This tragedy has been devastating to all of us at Schlitterbahn. We are determined to find out what happened and to do all we can to ensure it never happens again. The safety of our employees and guests is of paramount importance to us.
We appreciate everyone’s understanding during this time."
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