Brit snorkeller, 22, swept out to sea for THREE HOURS and ‘minutes from drowning’ off coast of Majorca

AN exhausted Brit snorkeller was saved from certain death after being swept out to sea in Majorca. The 22-year-old tourist was rescued by emergency crews after spending more than THREE HOURS trying to scramble back to the shore. Those involved in the emergency operation said he would have drowned “within 15 minutes” if he had […]

AN exhausted Brit snorkeller was saved from certain death after being swept out to sea in Majorca.

The 22-year-old tourist was rescued by emergency crews after spending more than THREE HOURS trying to scramble back to the shore.

Newsflash

The Spanish Civil Guard used a helicopter to scour the waves[/caption]

Alamy

The Brit had gone into the waters off the beaches of Cala Marmols[/caption]

Those involved in the emergency operation said he would have drowned “within 15 minutes” if he had not been found when he was.

Local cops received a call on Saturday afternoon to say the man had been missing for hours.

They were told he had gone snorkelling off the beaches of Cala Marmols and not come back.

The unnamed person who raised the alarm knew he had not returned because they had been asked to keep an eye on his belongings.

The Spanish Civil Guard then started a full-scale search and rescue operation.

They used a helicopter to scour the waves and soon spotted him struggling to reach the shoreline.

 

Newsflash

When the snorkeller (not pictured) was saved he was completely exhausted[/caption]

A member of the Special Group of Subaquatic Activities (GEAS) jumped into the sea and swam towards the man to check how he was.

They quickly realised he was really struggling and had no chance of reaching dry land on his own.

The spokesman of the Spanish Civil Guard revealed: “He was totally exhausted.”

They confirmed the victim was a Brit tourist who had been staying on the island and spoke “perfect” Spanish.

Steep cliffs made it difficult to carry out an air recovery so instead the GEAS rescuer dragged him to land.

Once there another member of the rescue unit helped the tourist out of the water, the Spanish Civil Guard statement confirmed.

The victim was taken to the Son Espases hospital in the helicopter where he was treated for exhaustion and dehydration.

Spanish Civil Guard officials said the man is now fine and in good health but said that when found he was on the point of complete exhaustion.

They estimated that within the next 15 minutes he probably would have drowned.