Brits heading off on their summer holidays have been urged to take extra care after a strong swimmer was almost dragged under by terrifying currents at one of Spain’s most popular beaches.
Holiday Horror in Fuerteventura
The tourist, visiting sun-soaked Fuerteventura, was left fighting for her life as she battled the waves, all while trying to save a friend who was struggling even more. Shockingly, no lifeguards came despite desperate calls for help, according to the Daily Star.
Describing hearing of the incident, which involved her friend, journalist Abigail Hunt revealed she was “deeply shaken” when she discovered her friend had “almost passed away” during what was meant to be a carefree birthday getaway.
The Terrifying Moment
“The idea of my best friend being in that position is difficult to process even now,” she wrote, adding, “She described the terrifying reality of what happened. One moment she was enjoying the water, the next she found herself being pushed under by a powerful force she couldn't control.”
Abigail's friend had been visiting the Grandes Playas beach in Corralejo, a popular stay with family and friend groups visiting the Canary Islands, which is visited by around 6 million Brits each year according to airport operator Aena.
Abigail added: “Despite being a strong swimmer, she was unable to stay above the surface. Every attempt to keep afloat seemed futile as she swallowed mouthfuls of seawater.”
Then she looked back and saw her friend struggling even more. Her friend was clearly in distress, reaching out towards her as panic set in. In that split second, my best friend had to make a decision. Despite fighting for her own life, she turned back. Somehow, she managed to grab hold of her friend and bring them both back towards shore.
Wider Context: UK Water Deaths
The incident echoes recent tragedies in the UK, with at least 15 open-water-related deaths recorded during the recent heatwave. On Wednesday, Surrey County Council issued a warning of the dangers of swimming as forecasters predict more warm weather this week.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: “It's important to understand the dangers of swimming in open water, including in local lakes.”
Abigail warned: “We need to do more to raise awareness about water safety... The sea does not care how confident you are. It does not care how fit you are. We need to do more to raise awareness about water safety. We need to teach our children – and remind ourselves – about the risks that exist beneath the surface.”
“We need to understand currents, rip tides and changing conditions before stepping into open water. Most importantly, we need to recognise that confidence is not the same as safety.”
