Teresa Ford, 69, drowned last Wednesday at Cavalleria Beach in Menorca while trying to save her 10-year-old granddaughter after their inflatable overturned in rough seas. Her son, Andy Ford, who was not present during the incident, has written an open letter to the local mayor, arguing that his mother's death could have been prevented.
According to Mr. Ford's account, his mother, father, wife, and daughter were in the water when the inflatable capsized. His mother realized they were caught in a rip current and urged them to return to shore, but it was too late. His father was swept towards rocks while trying to help his wife and daughter, who were eventually rescued by a passerby with a rope. Mrs. Ford entered the water to assist her family, despite having a pre-existing shoulder injury and a hip replacement, and not being a strong swimmer. She was swept away by the current and could not be saved.
Mr. Ford stated in his letter that his family observed no signs warning of rip currents on the beach. He questioned whether the local council was aware of the dangers posed by the currents at Cavalleria Beach, especially for swimmers at the end of October, and whether adequate warnings about the strong winds forecast for that day were issued or displayed.
"Teresa did what any good grandmother would do upon seeing her granddaughter in danger, try to save her," Mr. Ford wrote. He added that his daughter blames herself for her grandmother's death, and the family must live with the fact that they survived while Mrs. Ford did not.
Cavalleria Beach is known to be exposed to strong north winds, which can create powerful waves and currents. Lifeguard services at the beach had concluded for the autumn and winter months just days before the incident. The local mayor, Joan Palliser, expressed his condolences and acknowledged that tourists' unfamiliarity with the area's conditions might have been a factor. The Civil Guard is investigating the incident.