A 69-year-old British woman has drowned while attempting to rescue her 10-year-old granddaughter from the sea on the final day of the family’s holiday on the Spanish island of Menorca.
The incident occurred at around 1pm on Wednesday at Cavalleria Beach, a largely undeveloped cove on the island’s northern coast.
The grandmother entered the water after her granddaughter began drifting away from the shore towards a rocky area. Strong currents and gusts of wind overturned the child’s small inflatable.
The woman’s partner and the girl’s mother also attempted to reach the child. The grandmother’s husband eventually brought her body back to shore.
Beachgoers Rescue Girl and Her Mother
Other beachgoers helped rescue the 10-year-old girl and her mother, who were brought out of the water unharmed.
They used ropes normally installed to separate the main beach from a protected dune area to help the pair reach safety.
Emergency services, including police officers, paramedics and firefighters, arrived after the alarm was raised. However, responders were unable to save the grandmother.
Her husband was taken to hospital for treatment for cuts sustained during the rescue attempt. The girl and her mother were treated for a panic attack.
Strong Northern Winds and Currents Reported
The granddaughter had been carried towards a rocky section of the beach by strong gusts of northern wind, which were reaching nearly 30 miles per hour. Her inflatable overturned in the conditions.
Cavalleria Beach is known for its exposed position, where the Tramontana north wind can produce strong waves and currents as well as blow sand across the shoreline.
The beach is a large stretch of undeveloped sand with clear water, divided by a rocky formation.
Lifeguard Service Had Ended Earlier in October
The incident occurred after the beach’s lifeguard service had ended on October 15, leaving no professional lifeguard assistance available at the time.
A Spanish Coastguard helicopter was placed on standby after the emergency was reported, but it was not ultimately required.
Joan Palliser, mayor of Es Mercadal, the municipality that includes Cavalleria Beach, also attended the scene.
Civil Guard Investigates the Death
Spain’s Civil Guard is leading an investigation into the incident, which is being treated as an accidental tragedy.
Police officers were preparing to submit a report to a nearby court.
Authorities have not yet confirmed where in the United Kingdom the family lives.
The family had been staying at a villa in Son Bou, on Menorca’s central-southern coast, and had spent approximately a week on the island before the tragedy occurred.
