A family has issued a caution to visitors to the Canary Islands and shared concerns regarding the natural pools after narrowly avoiding a drowning incident.
Tragedy struck a man-made natural pool in Los Gigantes on Tenerife’s west coast on December 7, resulting in four fatalities and one person still missing. Kai Barrington, 42, and Sarah Jellard, 39, from Devon, were vacationing on the island with their 20-month-old child.
The family had visited the popular tourist spot on the same day as the unfortunate event. Kai had entered the water around 4 pm, along with other tourists, while Sarah and their toddler remained at a higher vantage point.
Suddenly, a series of large waves crashed against the shore, causing chaos in the pool and sweeping away several swimmers. Kai, an experienced surfer, managed to stay submerged under the wave, holding onto the pool’s bottom, a move he credited with saving his life.
“I was in the sea pool as the waves crashed over me, tumbling me around. I didn’t initially realize the danger due to my familiarity with such scenarios,” explained the 42-year-old. “It was only when I resurfaced after a big wave hit that I realized I was being pulled over the edge, witnessing others being swept away.”
Sarah, witnessing Kai’s struggle in the water amidst the chaos, felt helpless as emergency services were called in. Tragically, she observed someone drowning in the distance, emphasizing the feeling of powerlessness in such situations.
Following a large-scale rescue effort, the bodies of a 35-year-old man, a 55-year-old woman, and another unidentified man were recovered. A woman airlifted to the hospital passed away the next day, while a fifth individual remains missing.
Kai received medical treatment and was discharged. The Canary Islands, situated off the northwest coast of Africa, boast numerous natural rock pools, some of which are accessible to swimmers.