Swimmer in Spain attacked lifeguard for being told to stop smoking

A SWIMMER who went berserk when told to stop smoking at a public pool attacked a lifeguard three times and hurt five people before off duty police subdued him.

Around 400 people – half children – were enjoying a quiet Sunday at the swimming pool of Pozo Alcón, in Granada when violence erupted.

Enrique Fernández, a member of the Granada Neighbourhood Police Support Group was at the pool with his wife and daughters aged one and six.

He saw the detainee trying to punch the lifeguard and intervened out of fear for the safety of his family.

Thinking the incident had calmed down he was surprised to see the same man later chase the lifeguard, who took refuge in an outhouse. Again, Enrique stepped in and destroyed a block of cement that the man was threatening to throw.

But then the detainee managed to grab a pair of scissors from the ticket office and went to attack the lifeguard. A group of bathers tried to stop him, with five being injured in the incident. Enrique and an off-duty Guardia Civil officer managed to disarm and arrest the man, and lead him away from the pool.

Speaking to the press Enrique said that he is not a hero and that he would like the work of the police to be recognised more. And as he says, an officer is at the service of the citizenry, whether or not he or she is in uniform.