A 46-year-old man has died after drowning in the natural pools of Hermigua, La Gomera, according to reports from the Emergency Services Coordination Centre (CECOES) of the Canary Islands Government.
The alert was received at approximately 4:45pm on Tuesday afternoon, when emergency services were notified that the man was in distress in the water.
The Helimer helicopter from Maritime Rescue was deployed to the location given and successfully retrieved the man, airlifting him to the San Sebastián de La Gomera helipad, where paramedics were waiting to treat him.
Unfortunately, despite resuscitation attempts, they couldn’t revive him and he was pronounced dead. The Guardia Civil took charge of securing the body until the arrival of judicial authorities and the completion of official procedures to allow official identification and an autopsy.
The incident highlights the potential dangers of swimming in natural pools, where changing tides and strong currents can pose significant risks, especially when there are pre-alerts for dangerous conditions.
Authorities urge visitors to respect flags on and warnings on beaches and to exercise caution when swimming in open water areas.
