A British holidaymaker has recounted the terrifying moment she believed she was going to die after being swept out to sea in Tenerife, forcing her to send heartbreaking goodbye texts to her family.
Louise, a tourist from the UK, was enjoying a swim in the seemingly calm waters of the Canary Islands when a deceptively strong current dragged her away from the shore. Within moments, she found herself in a desperate fight for survival.
'I thought that was it,' Louise revealed, describing the sheer panic as the shoreline rapidly disappeared from view. The powerful pull of the water made it impossible for her to swim back to safety.
Convinced she would not make it back alive, Louise made the gut-wrenching decision to use her final moments to send farewell messages to her loved ones via text. Her phone, miraculously still functioning, became her only link to say goodbye.
Desperate Rescue Effort
Her plight was spotted by a quick-thinking jet ski instructor on the beach who noticed her frantic waving. Launching into immediate action, he sped out to her location and managed to pull her from the treacherous water, saving her life.
The incident serves as a stark warning to other tourists about the hidden dangers of coastal waters. 'The sea looked so calm, but the current was incredibly powerful,' Louise stated, urging others to be more cautious than she was.
Beach Safety Warning for Tourists
This harrowing experience highlights the critical importance of:
- Always swimming on lifeguard-patrolled beaches
- Heeding coloured flag warning systems
- Understanding that calm surface water can mask dangerous undercurrents
- Not swimming alone
Local authorities often warn that rip currents are a common and deadly hazard for unsuspecting swimmers, even on days when the ocean appears tranquil. This tourist's story is a powerful reminder to always respect the sea.
