A swimmer was rescued around 7:00 p.m. yesterday, Wednesday 3rd June, by a group of surfers at La Mata beach in Torrevieja and taken to a medical centre by an Advanced Life Support ambulance. After many days of calm seas, the easterly wind picked up throughout the day. This created ideal conditions for the waves to build due to the dynamic marine environment right at the southern end of this open beach in Torrevieja, a popular spot for surfers.
Surfers noticed a swimmer struggling to swim back to shore and calling for help, so they rescued him. The tourist received medical attention from paramedics who were dispatched to the area after a call to the Generalitat’s Emergency Coordination Centre (CICU). Local police officers from Torrevieja also responded. Resuscitation efforts were performed on the shore, and the man was then carried on a stretcher to an ambulance and taken to a medical centre with the assistance of the local police patrol.
Every year, surfers who choose this stretch of the Mediterranean to practise their favourite sport help dozens of swimmers who enter the water despite the red flag warnings. The beach where the rescue took place is the longest on the Torrevieja coastline. It is highly valued for the quality of its water and its dune environment, which is less urbanised. However, it presents risks on days with easterly winds and high waves, and it also has specific areas with strong currents.
Until June 15th, the main beaches of Torrevieja will lack lifeguards and rescue personnel, even though they are already very crowded. Consequently, the flag system used to warn bathers about sea conditions is not being used. Torrevieja has a lifeguard service that covers the entire Holy Week – ten days – and from June 15th to September 15th – this year it may start earlier, on the weekend before the 15th. They also distribute some holiday service between Holy Week and the start of the high season, and some at the end of September. Although more service is always requested, this is one of the longest periods of lifeguard coverage on the Alicante coast.
Yes, buoys have been installed on the beaches to demarcate the swimming area from the zone where boats can navigate, stairs have been installed on rocky access points, and the beach bar and sunbed season began several weeks ago on the public beach areas. Eulen is providing the service for 736,920 euro annually.
