A 24-year-old woman was injured this Monday after falling while exiting the sea at Nogales beach, in the municipality of Puntallana, La Palma. She was evacuated by helicopter from the GES to the General Hospital of La Palma.
The rescue helicopter from the Emergency and Rescue Group (GES) of the Government of the Canary Islands evacuated a 24-year-old woman this afternoon who was injured after a fall at Nogales beach, in the municipality of Puntallana, on the island of La Palma. The incident occurred around 16:40 hours when the swimmer was exiting the water and suffered an injury to an upper limb.
The Emergency and Security Coordinating Centre (CECOES) 112 received an alert from a lifeguard in the area, who reported that the young woman needed medical assistance. Immediately, the necessary emergency resources were activated, including personnel from the La Palma Fire Brigade, a basic life support ambulance from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC), and the GES helicopter.
The firefighters accessed the beach, but due to the difficulty of safely evacuating the affected individual by land, they requested the intervention of an aerial resource from the Coordinating Centre. The GES helicopter rescuers then proceeded to rescue the young woman, who had already received initial care from the lifeguard.
The swimmer was hoisted into the aircraft and evacuated to the helipad of the General Hospital of La Palma. Once on land, SUC personnel assisted her and transported her to the emergency department of the hospital. According to the initial assessment by the SUC, the woman presented a moderate injury to her upper limb, barring complications.
This type of aerial rescue is common on the islands' hard-to-access beaches, where the terrain and lack of quick evacuation routes necessitate the use of helicopters to ensure timely medical care. Nogales beach, located on the east coast of La Palma, is known for its natural beauty but also for its difficult access, complicating rescue efforts in emergencies.
The Emergency and Rescue Group of the Government of the Canary Islands, under the Ministry of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water, has rescue helicopters based on several islands to address such situations. The rapid activation of resources and coordination among the various services allowed the young woman to receive hospital care as quickly as possible.
From 112, they remind the importance of taking extra precautions at beaches, especially those that are hard to access, and following the instructions of lifeguards and emergency personnel. In the event of an accident, it is advisable to alert 112 as soon as possible to activate the necessary resources in a coordinated manner.
The young woman remains hospitalized at the General Hospital of La Palma, where further tests are being conducted to assess the extent of her injuries. Hospital sources have indicated that her condition is stable and she is progressing favourably.
