A man in his 60s tragically lost his life after being struck by a pleasure boat’s propeller in the Canary Islands last Sunday. The incident took place off the west coast of La Palma, near Puntagorda, where the victim became trapped between the blades, leading to his demise as his friend, the boat’s skipper, witnessed the horrific accident. Rescuers faced a challenging task as it took several hours to recover the man’s body.
Following the distressing event, emergency services not only worked on retrieving the body but also provided aid to the skipper who experienced an anxiety attack post-accident. The duo, who had been longtime fishing companions, had embarked on a fishing excursion as they had done for years in the area. The skipper, a resident of Puntagorda, has been deeply affected by the tragic outcome.
Upon receiving reports of the man’s injuries caused by the boat’s propeller, emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene. Despite efforts by a helicopter, a rescue boat with police and paramedics, the man could not be saved. An investigation is now in progress to determine the circumstances of the incident.
The recreational boat involved in the fatality was towed to the Port of Tazacorte for further examination by the Civil Guard, assisted by firefighters from the La Laguna park who conducted a dive using underwater equipment at the site. The location of the incident, situated between Porís de Tijarafe and El Puerto de Puntagorda, is a popular fishing spot accessible only by boat due to the area’s cliff-bordered coastal stretch.
The tragedy, impacting two lifelong friends, was described by Puntagorda’s mayor, Vicente Rodríguez Lorenzo, as an “absolute tragedy.” The port of Tazacorte, frequented by various boats like the one involved, serves as a hub for marine activities in the region, offering access to destinations such as Cueva Bonita and El Porís de Tijarafe among others.
