A 70-year-old man died from drowning off the coast of San Bartolomé, Lanzarote yesterday afternoon (Tuesday), as reported by the Emergency Services Coordination Centre (CECOES), after disappearing in the sea off Guacimeta Beach.
The elderly man was found in a state of cardiac arrest in the waters between Playa Honda and Matagorda. Windsurfers discovered his body floating approximately 400 metres from the shore at around 5:00pm and called 112 to report it.
CECOES quickly dispatched to the location given and Maritime Rescue quickly retrieved the man and took him to the Arrecife dock where paramedics were waiting to treat him.
Despite being in cardiac arrest upon arrival, they performed both basic and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manoeuvres, but unfortunately, their efforts were in vain and the man's death was confirmed at the scene.
The Guardia Civil has initiated the appropriate proceedings, and have opened an investigation into the incident. His body has been taken for autopsy to officially identify him and confirm the cause of death.
