British tourist, 60, dies after being swept out to sea in Tenerife
British tourist, 60, dies after being swept out to sea in Tenerife
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A British holidaymaker has died after being swept into the sea by a wave at a landmark natural rock pool in Tenerife. The 60-year-old was one of three people who got into difficulties in the drama at Los Gigantes natural swimming pool in the west of the island.
A rescue helicopter was mobilised along with police, firefighters and emergency medical responders. The man who ended up dying was found lying face-down in the sea and choppered to a nearby football ground where efforts to revive him after rescue teams discovered he had gone into cardiac arrest proved unsuccessful.
The other two people swept into the sea, both women, managed to reach safety themselves. One was taken to a health centre with minor injuries and the other treated for a panic attack. It was not immediately clear this morning if the survivors were relatives or friends of the man who died and what their nationalities were.
Police could not be reached early this morning to comment on local reports describing the victim as a British holidaymaker. The tragedy occurred just before midday yesterday at the Los Gigantes natural pool in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, also known as Crab Island Pool and near to the four-star Barcelo Santiago Hotel.
Although a concrete wall protects bathers, online travel site warnings advise tourists to stay out of the pool when ocean waves are high because they can wash back. Local officials have been urging people in the Canary Islands to take care near the sea this week because of the strong swell and heavy waves.
