The swift actions of lifeguards at Santa Ponsa beach prevented the death of a swimmer on Thursday morning. The rescue team pulled the man — a 47-year-old Pakistani national living in the UK — from the water without a pulse and carried out CPR before paramedics arrived by ambulance. He was later taken to Son Espases hospital.
According to sources familiar with the incident, the emergency happened shortly before 12.40pm. Lifeguards spotted a person floating motionless in the water from one of the observation towers. They immediately entered the sea and, with the help of several nearby bathers, brought him back to shore.
The lifeguard began resuscitation manoeuvres, which lasted around 20 minutes, in an attempt to revive the drowning victim. Several off-duty firefighters who were on the beach also joined the rescue efforts.
A short time later, a fully equipped ambulance and several patrols from the Calvia Local Police arrived at the scene. Paramedics stabilised the man after he regained a pulse before transferring him to Son Espases hospital in a serious condition.
The incident caused considerable concern among tourists and residents who were walking along Santa Ponsa’s so-called “big beach” at the time.