British tourist drowns on Lanzarote beach

A British tourist has drowned at Famara Beach on the island of Lanzarote.

Steve Potter, 43, thought to be from the north of England, was spotted floating face down in the water after leaving friends on the beach to go for a swim.

He was spotted face down in the water and dragged out of the water unconscious, but he died at the shoreline after failing to respond to efforts by emergency services to revive him.

A source said, ‘He appears to have disappeared out of sight and reappeared a few minutes later floating face down in the water.

‘There’s nothing to suggest this was anything other than a tragic accident although we haven’t been told the exact cause of death.’

The incident occurred late on Saturday afternoon on the two-mile long beach, on the northwest coast of the island, world-famous for surfing and kiteboarding and used by professionals who often train there.

A Foreign Office spokesman said, ‘We can confirm the death of a British national in Lanzarote on April 20.

‘We are providing consular assistance to his family at this difficult time.’

The results of the autopsy have not yet been made public.