Families say 2 Mass. women drowned on vacation in Mexico

MANSFIELD, Mass. - Family members in Massachusetts say two women have drowned on a vacation in Mexico.

Jeff Batta of Mansfield told Boston's WBZ-TV on Thursday that a third lifelong friend travelling with his 53-year-old wife, Donna, and 54-year-old Gail Binmore, said they were pulled out to sea as they walked in shallow water at their Cancun resort Tuesday night.

Binmore's former husband Joe Doherty of Mansfield said in interviews with WBZ and WCVB-TV hat he was told the women were hit by a rogue wave. He said U.S. consular officials have been helping the families.

Batta issued a statement Thursday night to The Associated Press through a public relations firm saying his family is "devastated" and also mourns the loss of Gail Binmore. Batta said his family appreciates the "outpouring of love" and condolences, but asked for privacy.