British woman, 70, drowns trying to save granddaughter at Cavalleria Beach, Menorca

Left · 2A 70-year-old British woman drowned on the last day of a family holiday after trying to rescue her 10-year-old granddaughter from the sea at Cavalleria Beach, on the north side of Menorca. 1 2 Left · 1The girl had got into difficulties in strong currents on an inflatable float, and began drifting from the coast towards a rocky area after her small inflatable turned over. 1 Left · 1The woman's husband and daughter also tried to reach the child; the husband brought his wife's body to shore, while other beachgoers used a rope to pull the daughter and granddaughter to safety. 1

Left · 1Metro reported that the girl was blown towards the area where her inflatable overturned by northern gusts of nearly 30 miles an hour, and that the ropes used in the rescue were those separating the beach from the protected dune area. 2 Left · 2Police, paramedics and firefighters came after the alarm was raised but could not save the woman. Metro added that the local lifeguard service had finished for the season on 15 October, so no professional help was on hand, and that a Spanish Coastguard helicopter was put on standby but not needed. 1 2 Left · 1Her husband was taken to hospital for cuts suffered while trying to save the child and his wife, and the girl and her mother were treated for a panic attack. 1

Left · 2A police investigation was ongoing, and officers will send a report to a local court. Metro said the Civil Guard is leading it and that it is being treated as an accidental tragedy. 1 2 Left · 2Metro said the family had been staying at a villa in Son Bou for about a week, and that Joan Palliser, mayor of Es Mercadel, went to the scene. Both outlets said it was not yet clear where in the UK the family come from. 2 1