A crew member who witnessed the death of banking billionaire Juan Carlos Escotet Alviarez in a freak boating accident off the Florida Keys has exclusively told DailyMail.com: 'One minute the vibes were all good – then it was catastrophe.'
Troy Hall was one of six people on board the 60ft sport fishing vessel Otoro last Saturday, when Alviarez, 31, leapt into the ocean to rescue Andrea Montero, who fell overboard six miles from the coastline.
The son of a Spanish-Venezuelan billionaire was immediately hit by the boat's 36inch, razor-sharp propeller and died from his injuries.
His fiancée, Montero, 30, managed to stay clear of the blades and avoid serious injury before she was safely pulled from the water.
Hall emphatically dismissed earlier reports that Montero was knocked overboard after accidentally being bumped by the boat's skipper, who DailyMail.com can reveal was ultra-experienced Scott Leon, 51.
Juan Carlos Escotet Alviarez died trying to rescue his fiancée Andrea Montero after she fell overboard the Otoro fishing vessel in Key Largo, Florida Saturday. Above, Alviarez (center in dark blue shirt) with Montero, 30 (center) and some crew members
The couple, scheduled to wed in November, were participating in a fishing tournament hosted by the Ocean Reef Club, a gated community, when the tragedy occurred
DailyMail.com can reveal ultra-experienced skipper Scott Leon, 51, (pictured) was at the helm when Montero fell over and 'nowhere near' her as earlier reports claimed
'Scotty was the captain and he was nowhere near Ms. Montero when she went over,' said Hall, from Miami.
'He was in the cockpit while she was at the stern. Reports saying he knocked her over are plain wrong.
'I'm not sure exactly how she ended up going overboard,' Hall shrugged as he added: 'But she was a small woman holding onto a fishing rod. The chop wasn't particularly bad, about three feet. Nothing special.'
'It's a catastrophe. I really don't want to say anymore.'
Hours earlier however, Hall shared photos of the crew on the vessel in an Instagram post captioned: 'Still can't wrap my head around what happened out there this weekened (sic).'
Alviarez was taking part in a fishing competition six miles off the coast of Key Largo when high spirits suddenly turned to horror on Saturday.
Former chef Hall, who describes himself as a 'future fishing captain', continued: 'It's hard to imagine going from the happiest you can be winning the reef cup, good spirits, good vibes, telling story's, jamming out, laughing, working hard all day making everything count too.
Troy Hall, a crew member aboard the vessel, told DailyMail.com it is still unclear how Montero fell overboard
Hours earlier on Tuesday, Hall shared photos of the crew on the vessel in an Instagram post captioned: 'Still can't wrap my head around what happened out there this weekened (sic).'
'In seconds it all being taken away. Seeing what some of us crew members saw really makes you appreciate life and the loved ones that stick by your side.'
And he added: 'Life's to (sic) short and anything can happen at any place and any time. I really appreciate everyone that has reached out to me, the crew we had, and the family, as we are all Devastated by the life taken to soon.
'The fishing community is small but we all stick together thanks for the support from the people I've meet along the way and the people I meet in the future, much love for everyone, be safe out there!'
Angela Oraa, who according to Instagram is a friend of Montero, said she fell into the water 'after an accidental trip.'
Boat skipper Scott Leon was the regular captain for the Otoro, which according to some records was owned by Alviarez.
The captain, who for many years was editor of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters magazine, skippered a Miami-based team called 'Rock Star' to win the $100,000 top prize at the World Sail Fish Championships in the Florida Keys in 2008.
He and Alviarez formed part of the Otoro fishing team, along with Montero and another boat charter skipper Mike Milz, 34 – who was also on the vessel when the tragedy occurred.
Hall said he is not exactly sure how Montero fell over since 'the chop wasn't particularly bad', but admits 'she was a small woman holding onto a fishing rod'. Pictured above is the Alviarez and crew members fishing on the vessel
Montero (left) reportedly doesn't remember falling off a fishing boat and into the ocean on Saturday. Officials say she hit her head. Her fiancé, Juan Carlos Escotet Alviarez (right), jumped into the water to save her and was maimed by a razor sharp propeller spanning 36 inches. He died from his injuries
Alviarez was swept up in the wake of the 60-foot craft's motor about six miles off the shore of Key Largo, according to the FWC report. Based on the size of the boat, experts claim the propeller was likely as large as 36 inches in diameter
The sixth person aboard on Saturday was Leonardo Lombera Jr, 34, who also owns a boat charter company.
Alviarez and Montero, who were set to wed in November, were participating in a fishing tournament hosted by the Ocean Reef Club, a gated community.
Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said Montero hit her head, but it's unclear if that was during her fall or when the boat's crew pulled her back in using a flotation ring. She reportedly does not remember the accident.
'Rough as it was, she couldn't say whether it was when she went over or coming back in. She doesn't remember when it happened,' Officer Jason Rafter, an FWC spokesman, told the Miami Herald on Monday.
The boat had been moving backwards at the time of the accident, indicating that the anglers had been fighting a game fish when Montero fell.
Officials are continue to investigate the incident and allege it could be months before the family knows exactly what happened.
However, fishing professionals told the newspaper that if someone falls while a boat is moving backwards there is a high probability they will hit a propeller.
Alviarez took to Instagram often to show off his catches and his passion for fishing
'If I'm backing down on a fish and someone falls in while the boat is going backwards, there is a real possibility that they are going to end up in the propeller,' Larry Wren, captain of a fishing boat based in Islamorada, said.
'If you fall off, you're under the vehicle. It's a tragedy, but it can happen any day. It's the same as a marlin jumping into the boat and spearing someone. It happens.'
Alviarez's father, Juan Carlos Escotet, is the founder of Venezuelan bank Banesco and is worth a reported $3.5billion
Alviarez is linked to several multi-million dollar addresses in the Miami area, including homes in the exclusive suburbs of Coconut Grove and Pinecrest, which is the location given for his home in the accident report by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
His father, Juan Carlos Escotet, 62, is the founder of Venezuelan bank Banesco and is worth a reported $3.5billion, according to Forbes.
The banking heir graduated from the University of Miami and was a member of the board of directors of Banesco USA, the American division headquartered in Miami, according to the company's website.
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ShareHe was described as having 'vast experience in real estate development in the Miami area.'
Two of his brothers also work for the bank, according to Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional.
The banking heir appears to have been a fan of competitive fishing, according to an Instagram page that documented his hobby.
In one photo dated January 31, 2021, he appears alongside his fiancée and other friends aboard a boat named Otoro.
'Despite the slow fishing this weekend, we had a great time in the #reefcup as always. Still managed to catch two on Friday and one on Saturday. Came in 6th out of 51 boats and second place on Friday's daily,' he wrote.
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