Beer influencer dies with father and partner trying to save woman swept out to sea

A Connecticut-born beer influencer has died alongside his father and partner in a doomed effort to save a drowning woman who was swept out to sea.

Chilean-American influencer and restaurateur Benjamín “Ben” Wood, 43, jumped into the Pacific Ocean Monday night in Algarrobo, Chile, after a strong wave knocked the woman down and dragged her away from shore, according to local news outlet BioBioChile.

Wood, his father Norman Ray Wood, 77, his partner Maria Jose Duarte Ureta, 47, and the 26-year-old woman they tried to save, Patricia del Pilar Bello Labe, all died at the scene, officials said.

Ben Wood died with his father and partner trying to save a drowning woman on Monday. Jam Press

Wood has just posted about how excited he was for future beer projects before he died. Jam Press

Labe’s partner, Hernández Bustos, also made a desperate attempt to save Ureta but struggled against the waves. He was rescued by Naval personnel by helicopter.

Wood, a Connecticut native, has been living in Chile for the past 13 years where he’s emerged as a respected figure in the South American country’s hospitality scene.

He had more than 37,000 followers on social media, where he chronicled his eating and drinking adventures.

He was known as a food and craft beer influencer who co-founded the burger chain El Honesto Mike and Alameda Beer Co.

On March 6, just days before he died, Wood posted a heartfelt message on Instagram reflecting on his career as he announced that while one of his craft beer shops would be closing there would be new projects for the future for his Craft Work Chile venture.

 “I’ve been working in beer and gastronomy here in Chile since 2013, when we opened a unique craft beer store. That shop sparked several other projects (like Alameda Beer Co and El Honesto Mike) that helped shape the scene here in Chile,” he wrote.

“Even though I didn’t achieve everything I wanted with the brand, I’m now determined and focused on doing even more with Craftwork Chile – a phoenix rising from the ashes for me.”