A drama unfolded on the Ile de Ré this Sunday, on the sidelines of the high tides announced on the French coasts.
The 80-year-old man, a fishing enthusiast, died of drowning on Sunday afternoon after being
“caught by the rising tide
,” said Charente-Maritime firefighters.
According to France Bleu, emergency services were called shortly after noon to help the man, stranded on Cible beach, in Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
The Dragon 17 helicopter, already mobilized during high equinox tides, turned away to reach the beach.
A firefighter diver was winched to recover the victim.
The emergency services then tried to revive her, in vain.
How did man allow himself to be surprised?
The circumstances of the tragedy remain to be clarified, indicates France Bleu.
The firefighters of SDIS 17 called for the greatest caution, while Charente-Maritime was placed on orange flood-flood vigilance.