by Saturday promised to be a day of family enjoyment in Pehuén Co, south of the province of Buenos Aires, but it ended with a tragic outcome that shook the entire beach town: a couple drowned on the beach.
Claudia Carina Fernández (47) and Ariel Néstor Manini (42) They had gone to spend the day, 68 kilometers from Punta Alta, with their two children, Mailén (18) and Agustín (9).
As far as he could know ClarionManini saved the two boys and his sister-in-law, but he could not get his wife out of the water and he also died.
The family went about twice a year to the Pehuén Co area, located 81 kilometers from Bahía Blanca, in the Coronel Rosales district. They rented there for a few days and returned.
Spokespersons from the Argentine Naval Prefecture reported that both had been rescued by lifeguards and subjected to resuscitation maneuvers, but they could not be saved.
According to witness accounts, the couple had arrived with a group of relatives from the city of Punta Alta to spend Saturday in Pehuén Co.
The family entered the beach of the spa along the coastal slope of San Martín Avenue and got into the water at noon on Saturday. They believe that the sea was rough and that caused the tragedy.
“They really liked going there, After working all year they enjoyed traveling to Pehuén Co”, close sources assured.
It was also a way to celebrate the achievements they made this year. Agustín, who had turned 9 years old a few days ago, had moved on to 5th grade.
On social networks, the latest Facebook posts from Ariel and Claudia proudly showed that the boy had started playing at the neighborhood soccer school, in the Argentinos club. “They both always participated in the activities, they were always present,” she said.
For his part, Mailén had finished school a few days ago and in 2024 he planned to live in the City of Buenos Aires to begin a university career.
After the tragedy, the networks began to be flooded with publications in memory of the couple, some lamenting the loss, others remembering anecdotes where there was only room for happiness and joy.
The couple had been married for 19 years. “When Claudia thought that she was never going to fall in love again, she met Ariel on a trip when he came, from Córdoba (NdR: he was from Villa Dolores), on vacation to Punta Alta,” an alleged woman said.
The woman already had two children from a previous marriage. Then, with Ariel, Mailén and Agustín arrived.
Claudia she was a hairdresser, but he dedicated himself exclusively to coloring. In fact, she had her own place: “Peluquería Claudia Fernández”.
“She lived perfecting herself. She loved her work. I still remember the hours-long talks at the hair salon, which were about telling us part of our life story,” said Alejandra, who was not only her client but also very close friends of hers.
The two had met about six years ago. “Our children went to kindergarten together, they go to the same school and the same club. Clau has changed my looks, makeup and I managed to raise my self-esteem to a thousand. I met her as a garden mom and after that she was my hairdresser too,” she recalled.
“They were very humble, hardworking and fighters.. I have known them for many years. Clau, beyond being a good professional, her quality as a person is much more,” Alejandra added, while saying that the last time she saw him was in November, when he needed her hands and skills for an important event that he had. . .
For his part, Ariel worked as a civil agent for the Puerto Belgrano Naval Arsenal and worked in the Engine Workshop Department of the argentine navy. On social media, several colleagues said goodbye to him with affection. Emanuel called him “the super infant.”
“He was an excellent person. She always advised us and lived with a smile despite her bad days. He was a gentleman through and through,” he said briefly.
The family’s wake began at noon this Sunday in Punta Alta. In the case, the Functional Instruction Unit No. 12 of Bahía Blanca intervened, in the file initially titled as “investigation of causes of death“.
Pehuén Co beach is known as “the last beach on the Buenos Aires maritime coastline”, since in its vicinity is the “baseline” that separates the waters of the Argentine Sea from the inland waters of Bahía Blanca.
