Drone saves 14-year-old from drowning on a Spanish beach

By Oscar Corrons

GANDIA, Spain – A pioneering drone lifeguard service rolled out throughout Spanish seashores saved the lifetime of a 14-year-old boy this month as he struggled in opposition to a strong tide off a seaside in Valencia, its operators have stated.

The drone dropped a life vest into the ocean that was capable of preserve the teenager afloat simply as he began to sink under the waves, till a bodily lifeguard group arrived moments later.

“Once we arrived what we noticed was a child that was in very unhealthy form, with virtually no vitality to maintain floating, so I despatched over the life vest,” Miguel Angel Pedrero, drone pilot for Normal Drones, the agency that provides the expertise, advised Reuters.

“Due to the heavy waves it was a sophisticated manoeuvre, however we lastly managed to provide him the vest and he may float till the lifeguards reached him by jet ski.”

Valencia-based Normal Drones began supporting Spanish lifeguard employees in 2017 within the city of Sagunto simply north of Valencia.

Now, it has greater than 30 pilots and their drones working with the lifeguards at 22 seashores throughout Spain, offering speedy response help within the vital moments of a possible drowning earlier than lifeguards can bodily attain the scene.

“These further seconds are very important in some circumstances and in addition permits the rescue groups to method the particular person extra calmly and cautiously,” Pedrero added.

After being rescued, the 14-year-old, who has not been recognized, was despatched to a neighborhood hospital after ambulance personnel supplied him with oxygen. He was despatched dwelling 24 hours later.

A complete of 140 individuals have died from unintentional drowning in Spain within the first six months of 2022, 55% greater than in the identical interval of 2021, based on the Royal Spanish Lifesaving and Rescue Federation.