An 80-year-old woman tragically died on the afternoon of Thursday, 11 September, at Playa Dorada, in the municipality of Yaiza. She was rescued from the sea by bathers who promptly alerted the Emergency Coordination Centre (CECOES) 1-1-2 of the Canary Islands Government. The alarm was raised at 13:54, prompting the activation of necessary emergency resources.
A medical ambulance from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) was dispatched to the scene, along with officers from the Guardia Civil and the Local Police of Yaiza. Upon assessing the woman, the medical team found her in cardiac arrest. Despite advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts, it was not possible to revive her, and her death was confirmed at the scene.
The Guardia Civil is conducting the necessary inquiries to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident, while the Local Police assisted emergency teams on-site.
Security agencies stress the importance of exercising caution while swimming, particularly among the elderly or those with pre-existing health issues, reiterating that the swift action of witnesses is crucial for promptly activating emergency services.
A Recent Precedent in Tías
This incident occurs just a week after another woman lost her life under similar circumstances at Matagorda beach, in the municipality of Tías. Last Wednesday, at 16:15, local lifeguards rescued a bather suffering from cardiac arrest from the sea and began basic resuscitation efforts while alerting 1-1-2.
Emergency services, including a medical ambulance, a basic life support ambulance from SUC, and a nurse from the Tías health centre, were dispatched immediately. Despite the medical team’s diligent efforts, including advanced resuscitation measures lasting several minutes, the woman could not be saved, and her death was confirmed on the sand.
