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Date Published: 22/07/2025

British pensioner rescued from strong current off Cádiz beach

Lifeguards rushed in after the 86-year-old and his son were dragged out to sea by powerful tide

A British man in his eighties was rescued from the sea on Monday July 21 after being caught in a strong current while swimming off Santa María del Mar beach in Cádiz.

The incident happened around midday, when the 86-year-old was swept away by a sudden current. His son, aged in his sixties, got into difficulty while trying to reach him, and both had to be pulled to safety by lifeguards and a rescue boat.

Several surfers in the area were the first to react, attempting to help the two men before emergency services arrived.

According to surf instructor Hugo Martínez Campo, the lifeguards were slow to realise the severity of the situation. “There were three people in the water, and the lifeguards didn’t realise one of them was drowning,” said Martínez, who runs the Rebolcón surf school nearby.

He added that this wasn’t an isolated case. “What’s happening this year is not normal,” he said. “The number of rescues and drownings is really worrying. A lot of people just don’t understand how dangerous these currents can be.”

Both the father and son were taken to Puerta del Mar Hospital for treatment. The older man, who reportedly has a history of heart problems, was said to be in a serious but stable condition.

This rescue is the latest in a series of troubling incidents along Cádiz’s coastline this summer. So far this season, three people have drowned at local beaches.

Martínez warned that many swimmers panic when caught in a current and try to swim against it, which quickly leads to exhaustion and makes rescues harder. He also criticised the lack of safety signage and awareness at Santa María del Mar beach, which he said needs urgent attention.

You might also be interested in: What to do if you see someone drowning in the sea

Image: turismoelpuerto.com

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