STORM TRAGEDY
Brit tourist dies in Storm Nelson ‘after being swept out to sea by rogue wave while taking photos’ in Spain
The tourist was one of four people killed in the storm so far
A BRITISH holidaymaker has tragically died in Spain after being swept out to sea by a massive rogue wave.
The 62-year-old man was caught up in the devastating Storm Nelson as he took photos with his wife, reports say.
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The tragedy happened this afternoon near an old fishing village named San Esteban de Pravia in Muros de Nalon.
The unnamed Brit was on holiday with his wife, according to the local mayor.
His body was found by a fire and rescue helicopter at around 2pm after he is believed to have fallen from the end of a breakwater.
Unconfirmed reports said he was taking photos when he was knocked into the water by a wave.
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He is then thought to have smashed his head on a nearby barrier before being swept off into the sea.
A witness told El Comercio: "The man stood up for a moment to look at the waves and when he turned around to return to his wife, who had stayed further back, a wave dragged him away."
A spokesmen for the local Civil Guard said they are now investigating into his death.
They added: “We are treating this as a tragic accident.
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"An autopsy tomorrow will determine how exactly he died and whether it was down to a blow to the head as he was swept into the sea or if he drowned.”
A spokesman for a regional government-run emergency response coordination centre gave details on the attempted rescue mission.
They said: “The Asturias Fire Rescue Group on board the medicalised helicopter of the Emergency Service of the Principality of Asturias (SEPA) has rescued the lifeless body of a man who fell into the sea at the San Esteban breakwater, in Muros del Nalón.
“His body was evacuated to the breakwater itself where the Civil Guard took charge of the situation.
“The dead man was located in the San Esteban estuary and was evacuated to the helicopter using a crane mechanism in which 30 metres of cable were deployed.
“The Asturias Emergency Coordination Centre received the call at a minute past 1pm, saying a man had just fallen into the sea.
“The rescue group and emergency response helicopter were mobilised along with another team of firefighters."
They had come to spend a week’s holiday in our municipality and this tragedy has occurred. I’m so devastated
Celestino Novo
The man and his heartbroken wife arrived to the area yesterday amid severe weather warnings due to the storm.
They were renting an apartment and had plans to spend Easter in northern Spain.
The mayor of Muros de Nalon, Celestino Novo said: “They had come to spend a week’s holiday in our municipality and this tragedy has occurred. I’m so devastated.”
The tourist was one of four people killed during Storm Nelson today in Spain.
A woman fell into the sea in the port of Cudillero, in Asturias.
Please take maximum precautions in the coming hours and days
Adrian Barbon
Adrian Barbon, President of the Principality of Asturias said: “It’s a terrible and very sad piece of news.
“In the name of the Principality of Asturias, our most sincere condolences and our recognition for the people who participated in the rescue operations.
“Please take maximum precautions in the coming hours and days.”
As a teenager also drowned in the eastern coast city of Tarragona.
A 30-year-old German man reportedly tried to rescue the teenager in the water but tragically died before he could save him.
Storm Nelson is also set to cause chaos in the UK with snow warnings currently in place.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “A deep area of low pressure will see increasing wind speeds along the south coast of England on Thursday.
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"Gusts of 50mph are likely quite widely, with 60-70mph possible in exposed coastal areas.
“These winds will be accompanied by some heavy showers at times, with the possibility of hail and thunder in some locations, which will worsen travel conditions.”
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