21/11/2007

Drowning Tragedy Strikes Family In Spain

Another drowning tragedy has struck a British family, with a British man and his five-year-old son killed after being swept out to sea in Spain.

According to the Foreign Office the man's two sons were washed into the sea as he took a picture of them at a popular beauty spot at Tossa de Mar, near Barcelona, on the Costa Brava.

The Spanish news agency Europa Press reported the man managed to rescue one of the boys. But he was overcome as he tried to recover his second son.

Europa Press reported that rescue fire fighters in a helicopter had spotted the man and his son clinging to a life buoy, but rough seas prevented them from reaching the duo in time.

The Spanish coast has been hit by stormy weather this week.

The Foreign Office said consular officials were heading to the scene to offer assistance to the man's wife and surviving son.

This is a very similar incident to one last month in Portugal when parents drowned attempting to rescue their children who has got into difficulties swimming when caught by a current.

In that case, the children were washed back on shore unharmed. But the parents perished.

See: Bodies Of Algarve Drowning Tragedy Parents Flown Home



(BMcC)

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