A 14-year-old girl from the United Kingdom is in critical condition following a near-drowning incident at a beach in Lloret de Mar, located on the Costa Brava, on March 30, 2024. The teenager reportedly went for a final swim before returning home with her school group when she was swept out to sea by a wave.
According to local reports, the girl was part of a study trip with fellow students from London, scheduled to return to the UK on the same day as the incident. At approximately 11:45 AM, she was caught in a powerful wave that took her further into the ocean. Witnesses alerted authorities, prompting police to respond to the beach to advise swimmers against entering the turbulent waters.
Upon arrival, officers witnessed the girl being carried away by the waves alongside another individual. They quickly entered the water, managing to reach her while she was unconscious. Firefighters subsequently joined the rescue efforts, utilizing a rope to assist in pulling both individuals to safety.
Footage of the rescue shows the girl floating approximately 500 feet from the shore as rescuers worked to save her. Once on the beach, emergency personnel performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for around 30 minutes before she was transported to the intensive care unit at Josep Trueta Hospital in Girona.
As of Monday afternoon, she remains in critical condition. The area where the incident occurred was initially cordoned off with police tape, which was lifted after the girl was taken to the hospital.
Local authorities have initiated proceedings to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, which may involve possible negligent injury charges. The case will be forwarded to a court in Blanes, near Lloret, where a judge will determine the next steps. Reports from the provincial newspaper Diari de Girona indicate that the trip supervisors were present and attempted to assist but are not viewed as responsible for the incident.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic but praised the swift actions of local police and rescue teams. One observer, Carme Rigart, stated, “Very good work by the local police, fire brigade, the regional Mossos d’Esquadra police, and, above all, Civil Protection workers. They managed to rescue the young girl and performed CPR, which saved her life. Hopefully, she will not suffer any lasting effects.”
Another witness, Cintiha Schenfeld, noted that police were quick to prevent others from entering the water until appropriate rescue equipment arrived.
The local community, alongside the girl’s family and friends, remains hopeful for her recovery as investigations continue into the tragic event.
