ARCHIVED - Beach tragedy as couple drown in Guardamar del Segura

A woman drowned trying to rescue an elderly man who also died after getting into difficulties in the Vega Baja, Alicante province

A woman and 72-year-old man tragically drowned at Camp beach in Guardamar del Segura on Tuesday afternoon, August 3.

The elderly man reportedly became caught in a strong current at around 2.50pm, and on seeing him in distress, the woman, whose age is unknown, ran into the sea to try to rescue him, but got into difficulties herself.

The couple, of foreign nationality, were pulled out of the water unconscious and once on the beach, medical personnel carried out cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers, but sadly there was no response and they were both confirmed dead at the scene.

The drownings occurred hours after the Valencia regional government launched a new pioneering project to prevent drownings in which drones will monitor the coastline in 10 municipalities - including Guardamar, Benidorm, Javea and Denia in Alicante province.

As part of the 'Stop Drowning' initiative, drones will fly over the beaches, and notify lifeguards of the exact location of anyone in distress. Twenty-five people have now lost their lives at beaches in the Valencia region.

IMAGE: Comunitat Valenciana