Le Figaro Nantes
His vigilance and action may have avoided the worst. Wednesday evening, around 19:30 pm, Oscar returns from a Wing Foil session off the beach of Bonne Source in Pornichet (Loire-Atlantique). As he makes his way back to the stretch of sand via the windsurfing channel, he is surprised by cries for help. These come from a swimmer from the bathing area.
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As I got closer, I discovered a man in distress, his legs shredded, "he explains on the website of the community. According to the first elements collected, a motor boat passed at "high speed" ten minutes earlier in the vicinity. The boat reportedly struck the 54-year-old swimmer.
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Brought back to the edge on a board
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I carried him [the victim, editor's note] on my board and brought him back to the edge calling for help. An off-duty nurse and firefighter saw us. They rescued us and called the SMUR," Oscar said. Subsequently taken care of by the emergency services, the swimmer was transported in serious condition to a nearby hospital.
For the time being, the pilot of the boat seen on the water shortly before the accident remains untraceable. To try to identify him and the boat, the police officers of the La Baule police station launched a call for witnesses. People with information are invited to contact the following number: 02 49 14 24 42.
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Compliance with regulations
Following this accident with dramatic consequences, the City of Pornichet wishes to recall the regulations in force at the level of water of the beach of Bonne Source. "Swimmers should give preference to areas supervised by lifeguards, equipped if possible with a signal buoy. Boats are required to respect the bathing areas delimited by buoys and the reduced speed around it," she wrote.
As a regular in the sector, Oscar also advocates "common sense" to ensure cohabitation between the different uses of the coast: "Being a beginner in plank or owning your own boat are not excuses to violate the boundaries of the area. However, I regularly see people who find themselves a few centimeters from bathers with their Foils or catamarans. It's all about everyone's safety."