A 66-year-old motorist died of the tide on Monday afternoon on the Passage du Gois, a submersible road that connects the island of Noirmoutier (Vendée) to the mainland, firefighters said.
The car was trapped by the incoming tide on Monday at 5:00 p.m.
The four passengers managed to get out and take shelter on one of the beacons-refuges, located along this 4 km road.
The driver, 66, was swept away by the current.
She was found dead by the gendarmerie helicopter.
This type of accident is quite common but rarely fatal. Sunday, fishermen on foot were also trapped. They had managed to take refuge on a beacon while waiting for help. Slightly hypothermic, they were taken to hospital.