Brit Dies on Torrox Beach

AXA Brit DrownsMonday the 22nd saw the death of a British tourist in Torrox; the 12th person to die on Malaga beaches this year.

The incident occurred at the western end of Playa Peñoncillo around 14.20h shortly after 40-year-old Reece Bryan Morris from London went into the water with his 10-year-old daughter. They were soon struggling to reach the beach.

Two lifeguards had managed to reach the father first and help him to the beach, where he appeared to be OK, as he was conscious, however, it seems that he suffered a heart attack, seeing his daughter in danger.

Medical staff who were called to the scene explained that they had tried to revive the man for over an hour but to no avail – the autopsy will determine the cause of death.

Around a dozen bathers working together were able to rescue the young girl. The mother and their other daughter, aged five, witnessed the tragedy unfold.

The red flag was flying because of a strong undertow but it seems that the man did not heed or see this safety warning.

A 35-year-old Spaniard entered the water first seeing the young girl in difficulties but soon found that the current was taking him out and towards the rocks. Thankfully the rescuer was soon joined by other bathers who similarly risked their own lives to rescue the girl.

Although there was a red flag, it normally flies from a watchtower some 300 metres from the point that the man entered the water so it is possible that he did not see it, rather than simply ignored it. Evidently, the flag should be flown much closer.

A 50-year-old bather who had entered the water to join the rescue also found himself in difficulties but was helped out of the water by an off-duty Guardia Civil policeman.

The Málaga provincial Council is considering making the ignoring of a red-flag warning an offence, punishable with a fine, as so many people not only take no notice of the flag or warnings from the lifeguards, but in some cases have to be assisted out of the water two or three time in the same morning.

(News: Torrox, Axarquia, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia)

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