A family from Devon has issued a stark warning about the hidden dangers of coastal rock pools after narrowly escaping death during a terrifying incident in Tenerife that claimed multiple lives.
A Sunny Day Turns to Tragedy
The harrowing event unfolded on Sunday, December 7, at a man-made natural pool in Los Gigantes, on Tenerife's western coast. Kai Barrington, 42, and Sarah Jellard, 39, from Braunton, were visiting the popular spot with their 20-month-old baby. Around 4pm, Mr Barrington, an experienced surfer, was in the water while Ms Jellard and their toddler watched from a safer, elevated position.
Without warning, a series of powerful waves crashed over the sea wall, engulfing the pool and sweeping a dozen swimmers out to sea. Mr Barrington described clinging to the pool's bottom as the surge tried to pull him over the edge. "I saw two people to the left of me get pulled over the side," he recalled.
Helpless Horror Witnessed from Shore
From just metres away, Sarah Jellard watched in utter helplessness as her partner fought the waves and others were dragged into the ocean. Her testimony is chilling. "I watched someone swim... I saw them swim and take their last stroke, and then not take another one," she said, having witnessed a person drown before her eyes.
A major rescue operation involving jet skis and helicopters was launched. The bodies of a 35-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman were recovered, along with another man. A woman airlifted to hospital died the following day, and a fifth person was never found, bringing the confirmed death toll to four with one missing.
Calls for Action and Tourist Awareness
The couple, who said the sea looked deceptively calm that day with no warnings or barriers in place, are now campaigning for better safety measures. They stress they would never have taken their toddler near the pool had they understood the potential danger.
Ms Jellard emphasised that the victims did nothing wrong, simply enjoying a sunny day by a calm-looking sea. After their ordeal, the family tried to turn other tourists away from the site. They argue that authorities must do more to inform visitors of sudden weather changes and the inherent risks of such locations, which are popular across the Canary Islands.
Mr Barrington, who was checked in hospital and released, and his family hope their story will prevent future tragedies, urging holidaymakers to exercise extreme caution around natural pools, regardless of how tranquil the conditions may appear.
