A British pensioner has drowned while trying to rescue her granddaughter from the sea on the last day of their Spanish holiday.
The 70-year-old woman died after rushing to the aid of the 10-year-old after she got into difficulties in the water in strong currents on an inflatable float.
Her husband and daughter also tried to reach the child after she started drifting away from the coast towards a rocky area and her small inflatable turned over.
The victim’s husband brought her body to shore while other beachgoers used a rope to pull her daughter and grandchild to safety.
The horror tragedy happened around 1pm on Wednesday at Cavalleria Beach, an unspoilt cove on the north side of Menorca where the family were enjoying the last hours of their Mediterranean vacation.
Emergency responders including police, paramedics and firefighters rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised but there was nothing they could do to save the Brit OAP.
Her husband was taken to hospital to be treated for cuts he suffered trying to save the youngster and his wife.The child and her mum were treated for a panic attack.
A police investigation into the tragedy was ongoing last night and officers will send a report to a local court.
It is not yet clear where in the UK the family involved in the drama comes from.
The British family had been staying together at a villa in Son Bou on Menorca’s central-southern coast and had been on the island for around a week.
The dead woman’s granddaughter was blown towards the area where her inflatable overturned by strong gusts of northern wind reaching nearly 30 miles an hour.
The local lifeguard service finished on October 15 so there was no professional help on hand.
The ropes other beachgoers used to help the child and her mum to safety were those that separate the rest of the beach from the protected dune area.
Joan Palliser, mayor of the municipality of Es Mercadel which the beach forms part of, also went to the scene.
A Spanish Coastguard helicopter was put on standby after the alarm was raised but didn’t end up being needed.
The Civil Guard police force is leading the ongoing investigation, even though it is being treated as an accidental tragedy.
Cavalleria Beach is a large undeveloped sandy beach with crystal-clear waters, split by a rocky formation.
It is heavily exposed to the Tramontana north wind which can cause strong waves, currents and blowing sand. Travel reviewers say it is best visited on days with a southern wind.
An historic 19th century lighthouse sitting on top of cliffs is just a short drive away.
