British mother dies after freak wave smashes her against rocks while swimming in Tenerife blue lagoon

A family holiday in Tenerife ended in tragedy when a 56-year-old British mother, Rose Buck, lost her life after a sudden “freak wave” slammed her against rocks while swimming.

The devastating incident occurred in Costa Adeje, at a location locally known as the “blue lagoon,” on the morning of Wednesday, February 25.

The Calm Lagoon Turns Dangerous

The “blue lagoon” is usually a calm, protected area popular with swimmers of all ages.

Rose, a postal worker from Bradford, West Yorkshire, was visiting Tenerife and had gone for a morning swim.

Her daughter, Chantelle, 39, described how her mother often found solace in swimming, calling it her sanctuary.

According to Chantelle, Rose was swimming around the perimeter of the lagoon when the sea unexpectedly surged.

“One freak wave flung mum against the rocks,” she said, causing severe injuries, including a broken C2 vertebra and unconsciousness.

Rescue Efforts and Hospitalization

Rose was reportedly underwater for around five minutes before bystanders and lifeguards managed to pull her out.

It took another 13 minutes before resuscitation efforts succeeded.

She was then rushed to a hospital in northern Tenerife.

Initially, medical teams focused on stabilizing her internal organs, which had been affected by hypothermia and the water she swallowed.

However, scans later revealed significant brain damage, caused by a lack of oxygen and bleeding on her brainstem.

Family Arrives in Tenerife

Chantelle, along with her partner Fran Wilde, 63, and her 26-year-old brother Owen Tate, quickly traveled to Tenerife to be by Rose’s side.

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The family faced days of uncertainty, grappling with the severity of her injuries while waiting for medical updates.

“First they were trying to stabilize her because of the hypothermia and water in her lungs,” Chantelle explained.

“Then, when they could stabilize her organs, they discovered the brain damage, and it became clear the prognosis was grim.”

On March 6, doctors made the heart-wrenching decision to turn off Rose’s ventilator due to the irreversible brain damage.

She passed away in hospital on Sunday, March 8.

Possible Cause: Earthquake-Induced Wave

Tenerife experienced a 4.1 magnitude earthquake on February 25.

Chantelle believes this tremor may have triggered the rogue wave that struck her mother.

“There was a small earthquake a couple of hours after the swim, and I think that caused this freak wave,” she said.

Family and Community Response

While the tragedy has left the family devastated, the response from the community has offered some comfort.

Many friends and strangers have shared messages celebrating Rose’s kindness and warmth, highlighting the impact she had on those around her.

Chantelle, a children’s playcentre director, has also created a GoFundMe to support the family.

She reflected on the overwhelming outpouring of love: “Everybody who has contacted me has said she’s one of the nicest people they’ve ever met. It’s been mind-blowing how many lives she touched.”

Impact and Consequences

The death of Rose Buck highlights the hidden dangers even in seemingly safe swimming areas.

Freak waves, especially those potentially triggered by seismic activity, can pose severe risks to beachgoers.

Authorities may need to reassess public safety measures and warning systems in areas prone to such natural phenomena.

What’s Next?

Investigators are likely to examine the exact sequence of events that led to the wave’s sudden surge.

Meanwhile, Chantelle and her family continue to cope with their loss while raising awareness about water safety and the risks of unusual sea conditions.

Summary

Rose Buck’s tragic death in Tenerife serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the unpredictable power of nature.

Despite being an experienced swimmer, she was unable to survive the injuries caused by a sudden wave, possibly linked to a local earthquake.

The family has been overwhelmed by community support, reflecting the positive impact Rose had on those around her.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Rose Buck, 56, a British mother and postal worker, died in Tenerife after a freak wave struck her while swimming.
• The incident occurred in Costa Adeje at the “blue lagoon,” typically a calm, protected swimming area.
• Rose suffered severe injuries, including a broken C2 vertebra and brain damage caused by lack of oxygen.
• Rescue took 18 minutes in total; doctors stabilized her organs but ultimately determined the brain damage was irreversible.
• Tenerife experienced a 4.1 magnitude earthquake that may have triggered the wave.
• Family members rushed to Tenerife to be by her side; the ventilator was turned off on March 6.
• The family has received widespread support from the community, with a GoFundMe set up to aid them.
• Rose’s daughter, Chantelle, highlighted her mother’s impact on many lives and the tragedy occurring on International Women’s Day.