Overview
- Other surfers discovered the man unconscious and still attached to his surfboard by a safety leash, pulled him ashore around 14:30 on Wednesday, and rescuers could not revive him.
- Local lifeguards, firefighters and an emergency doctor performed resuscitation efforts but an emergency physician pronounced him dead at the scene.
- The Gendarmerie says the man was on holiday with his family and reports he was alone in the water, while at least one witness told reporters he was near three other surfers who helped recover him.
- No official cause of death has been released and investigators are examining whether a medical event, an accident or strong rip currents were involved.
- Regional outlets note two other German holidaymakers drowned on Landes beaches in September, highlighting known risks from strong surf and channeling currents along this stretch of the French Atlantic coast.