Tragedy in Ashkelon: Man drowns, two others injured

One man drowned with two others injured in the incident which occurred earlier this evening (Wednesday) in an unmarked beach strip near the marina in Ashkelon, including a man who was unconscious. Medics and paramedics from Magen David Adom (MDA) who were called to the scene provided them with medical treatment and performed resuscitation efforts, however they ultimately had to confirm the death of the 40-year-old man.

Another young woman, aged 20, was rushed to Barzilai Hospital in serious condition, unconscious and ventilated. A 20-year-old man who suffered minor injuries while attempting to rescue the drowning victims was treated on site and did not require hospital evacuation.

Yaron Kapach, a senior paramedic at MDA, recounted, "We arrived quickly at the beach with specialized equipment and a 4X4 ambulance that reaches the shoreline itself. We were informed that several people were in the water and are currently being rescued by surfers and subsequently by the naval patrol. We immediately prepared ambulance units and intensive care vehicles to quickly treat and transport the injured."

"The first victim rescued by surfers was a 20-year-old woman who was seriously injured and unconscious. We provided her with initial medical treatment on-site, including sedation and ventilation, and evacuated her by intensive care ambulance to the hospital in a serious but stable condition," he added. "The second victim rescued by us was a man in his 20s who suffered minor injuries while entering the water to assist in the rescue of the drowning victims. He was treated on-site by MDA teams and did not require further medical treatment."

"The third victim, aged 40, was rescued by naval patrol forces to the nearby marina. A mobile intensive care unit was dispatched in advance. He was pulseless and breathless, and we commenced advanced resuscitation efforts including heart massages, ventilation, and medication administration. Unfortunately, despite prolonged resuscitation efforts, we were compelled to declare his death."