Four Lifeguards Rescue Swimmer Amid Red Flag Warning; One Injured
Four lifeguards rescued a swimmer yesterday in Punta del Hidalgo, La Laguna, who had entered the water despite a red flag and dangerous conditions, resulting in one rescuer suffering minor injuries.
Yesterday at noon, four lifeguards rescued a swimmer in the Punta del Hidalgo area of La Laguna. The man had gone into the water even though the Canary Islands government had issued a pre-alert for dangerous coastal conditions, and a red flag warned people not to swim.
The swimmer struggled to get out of the sea near Altagay and was pulled further out by a large wave. Seeing this, two lifeguards from Punta del Hidalgo, joined by two colleagues from Bajamar who arrived in a Rapid Intervention Vehicle (VIR), went to help him.
The rescuers had to go hundreds of meters offshore because waves, three to four meters high, were breaking close to the coast. Sources said they first went beyond where the waves were breaking, then swam another 500 meters to the best spot to bring the swimmer back to shore.
After some time in the water, the four lifeguards managed to bring the swimmer out through a nearby pool area, though it wasn't easy. In fact, one of the lifeguards got cuts during the rescue and had to go to a health center for treatment for his minor injuries.
For several days, authorities have been warning residents and visitors to stay away from coastal areas and especially not to enter the water because of the strong waves, to prevent incidents like this one.