guardia civil rescue adeje man rough seas

Guardia Civil agent rescues man from rough seas in Adeje

Guardia Civil officer leaps into action in Adeje

A Guardia Civil officer from the Adeje station rescued a man from the sea last Saturday afternoon after he was found on a rocky ledge in heavy swell. The armed institute organised a search operation after being alerted that a 28-year-old man had gone missing and might be on a rocky outcrop between two beaches, Los Morteros and Diego Hernández.

Man falls into water as agents arrive

Once at the scene, the officers spotted the man. When he realised they were there, he tried to jump to another rock near the sea from a height of about three metres. Due to the strong swell and intense gusts of wind battering the area, he fell into the water and was swept away by the current, being battered against the rocks. Faced with the seriousness of the situation, one of the agents immediately removed part of his uniform and police equipment and jumped into the sea to try to rescue him, the Guardia Civil said in a statement.

Agent dives in repeatedly to keep man afloat

The officer had to submerge himself several times to keep the man afloat and move him away from the rocks, while the rest of the team mobilised a rigid inflatable boat that was nearby. Thanks to the coordination between the agents and the directions given, the boat managed to get close and take both on board, trying to leave the area before the sea conditions worsened, increasing the risk.

Man jumps back into water during rescue

However, during the transfer, the man, not trusting the officer, began to struggle and threw himself back into the water. Again, the Guardia Civil agent jumped into the sea to rescue him for a second time, managing once more to get him back on the boat and keep him safe until they reached the nearest beach.

Both taken to hospital, officer signed off work

Once on land, both were treated by emergency medical services and taken to the nearest hospital, where medical examination confirmed that both had sustained several injuries, to the extent that the officer has been signed off work temporarily. The Guardia Civil highlighted that the officer’s actions went beyond duty, as he defied danger by selflessly prioritising the lives of others over his own. The force said it demonstrated an outstanding intervention of citizen assistance and protection, marked by quick reaction and a strong commitment to the benevolent spirit, even in conditions of particular danger and heavy swell. In their view, it was an exemplary act that dignifies the uniform and its humanitarian work of aiding and protecting citizens, a mission that has been evident since the force was founded in 1844.

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