Two people drowned on Tuesday, April 9, after being cut off by rising waters in the English Channel during a period of high tides also marked by Storm Pierrick, the maritime prefecture announced. The victims were two clam fishermen, a 73-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman. The alert was raised on Tuesday afternoon by witnesses who informed the regional operational surveillance and rescue center (Cross) Jobourg that “three people were in difficulty, with water up to their waists, in the area of Saint-Martin-de-Bréhal (Manche),” said the maritime prefecture of the English Channel and the North Sea in a statement.
Rescue teams were immediately mobilized, but it was a zodiac from the Saint-Martin-de-Bréhal sailing school that first managed to retrieve two people, one of whom was unconscious, and bring them back to the beach. A medical team was airlifted in to assist them, but the unconscious individual could not be revived and was pronounced dead. The second victim was in critical condition when taken care of by firefighters. Further north, witnesses came to the aid of the third victim at the Bricqueville-sur-Mer rescue station (Manche). This victim was also declared dead upon the arrival of emergency services.
The Coutances prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the incident, which has been entrusted to the local gendarmerie, the maritime prefecture stated. The prefecture reminds the public of the “simple but essential rules” to follow when enjoying the coast as the high tides continue until April 11: check the weather, tide schedules, and water levels before heading out to sea or the shore; do not go alone and inform someone of your plans (location, departure and expected return time); have a means of communication to call for help (charged cell phone in a waterproof bag to dial 196 or via channel 16 on VHF radio); stay close to a safe spot and maintain a visual reference on the coastline (as the tide rises, perception of the environment can change significantly).
It is important to take precautions and be aware of the risks when interacting with coastal environments during periods of high tides and storms. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers and unpredictability of the sea, especially during adverse weather conditions. The authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident and prevent similar tragedies in the future. Awareness of safety guidelines and proper communication with emergency services can help prevent accidents and improve response times in case of emergencies. The community is urged to stay informed, plan ahead, and take necessary precautions when participating in water-related activities, especially during periods of extreme weather events such as high tides and storms.
