Mother and Grandmother Drown in Spanish Reservoir While Saving 5-Year-Old Boy
A family outing turned to tragedy at the Baños de Cerrato reservoir in Palencia, Spain, when a mother and grandmother drowned while attempting to rescue a five-year-old boy caught in a current.
The Incident
A family outing at the Baños de Cerrato reservoir in Venta de Baños, Palencia, ended in tragedy on Sunday evening when a 32-year-old mother and her 52-year-old mother drowned. The two women entered the water to rescue a five-year-old boy, their son and grandson, who was struggling in a current while playing with a bodyboard near the shore. The emergency services received the alert around 6:30 p.m., and the incident occurred near the dam on the Pisuerga River, approximately 200 kilometers north of Madrid.
The Rescue
Witnesses and authorities reported that the boy was saved by fishermen who were in the area. He was found clinging to a tree trunk near his mother and was pulled from the water conscious. The child was taken to the Hospital Río Carrión in Palencia for evaluation and has since been discharged. Another family member, the boy's uncle, was treated for severe shock and also taken to the hospital. The bodies of the two women were recovered from the reservoir.
We are facing an authentic tragedy that has shocked the province of Palencia.
The Investigation
The Civil Guard has opened an investigation into the exact cause of the accident. Eduardo Santiago, the Government sub-delegate in Palencia, stated that initial evidence points to the influence of strong currents in the reservoir. Witness accounts gathered by investigators suggest that a current separated the three individuals, pushing the grandmother toward one bank while the mother and child were swept toward the opposite shore. Another family present at the scene managed to pull the 52-year-old woman from the water, but she died minutes later.
The first indications would point to the possible influence of the currents at this point in the reservoir.
The Location
The reservoir is not an officially designated swimming area, and local authorities have warned of its dangers. The mayor of Venta de Baños, José María López Acero, stated that he was unaware people swam there, noting that the area is more commonly frequented by fishermen. He emphasized that the river is very dangerous and that swimming is prohibited. Residents described the spot as risky, with one neighbor saying it is "something dangerous" but that "people do swim there," while another clarified that it is not a typical bathing area.
You have to keep in mind that the river is very dangerous.
Aftermath
The tragedy has caused deep consternation in the local community. The mayor expressed his condolences to the family and wished for the full recovery of the child. A psychological support group was activated by the Civil Protection and Emergencies Agency to assist relatives at the scene. The Civil Guard continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the drownings.
- Emergency services receive a call about a child drowning near the dam.
- The mother and grandmother enter the water to rescue the 5-year-old boy.
- Fishermen rescue the boy, who is found clinging to a tree trunk.
- The 52-year-old grandmother is pulled from the water by another family but dies minutes later.
- The body of the 32-year-old mother is recovered from the reservoir.
- Government sub-delegate Eduardo Santiago confirms currents as the likely cause and announces the boy and his uncle have been discharged from hospital.
