Southern Indiana man who had stroke on cruise dies before making it home
A southern Indiana man that suffered a stroke while on vacation, leaving him trapped for days in Mexico, has died.
Ray Rice was the longtime owner of the country music radio station I-105.3 in Scottsburg.
Rice was on a cruise with his girlfriend earlier last week when he became infected with COVID-19, had a stroke and contracted pneumonia.
When the ship docked in Playa del Carmen, Rice was taken by ambulance to a hospital five hours away, but family said he did not have any insurance there to pay for care.
A GoFundMe collected enough money to get him flown to a hospital in Texas.
Previous story: Southern Indiana man back in U.S. after stroke left him stranded in Mexico
But on Sunday, Rice died, according to family and friends. The radio station he owned posted on their Facebook page.
"WMPI Radio Station owner Ray Rice has passed away," said the post. "On Sunday, Rice suffered a heart attack and passed away peacefully in his sleep."
Donations are still being accepted on the same GoFundMe to now help with medical and funeral costs.
On Wednesday, his family thanked the community for helping him get to the hospital.
His daughter, Amy Nichols, said that she was able to make it down to McAllen Tuesday night and that Rice squeezed her hand.