The Central Administrative Court has recognized the work of an agent of the Civil Guard stationed in Lanzarote for saving the life of a British tourist who jumped into the water during a storm alert. The events took place around 00.30 hours on March 24, 2023, on Las Cucharas beach, in the tourist town of Costa Teguise.
According to the Unified Association of Civil Guards (AUGC) union, the agent jumped in without the appropriate clothing and with a surfboard, without grip, to help this tourist, a corpulent woman who tried to take her own life by jumping into the water while drunk. In addition, the area was affected by low visibility and rough seas, with waves of up to three meters.
The rescue lasted almost two hours, as the bad weather was compounded by the fact that the tourist did not want to be rescued. A witness revealed in court that this intervention "could easily have cost the agent her life."
Finally, both were located in the open sea, about 300-400 meters beyond the breakwater. When rescued, they were exhausted and with signs of hypothermia.
The Ministry of the Interior awarded the agent the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Civil Guard medal, a military decoration that recognizes outstanding actions in security and service to citizens. In her case, she was awarded the white badge. Advised by AUGC, through the lawyer Ana Tacoronte, she requested the Justice to be decorated with the red badge, of a higher level.
The State Attorney's Office argued that the water was at 22 degrees, that there had been no risk to the agent and her life, and that when the firefighters arrived she continued to collaborate with the rescue. However, the civil guard was exhausted when she was rescued and a firefighter who acted in the area denied that the water was at that temperature.
The Court has recognized that her performance was "impeccable and worthy of admiration" in the performance of her duties, "beyond, if possible, what is required."
