Local hero saves tourist’s life in Torre del Mar

A MAINTENANCE worker for Torre del Mar beaches saved the life of a 78-year-old man on Friday (July 24).
Antonio Ortega, a cleaning worker employed by the Velez-Malaga Council, reported that around 8am he heard an elderly man calling for help as he could not get out of the water. Mr Ortega jumped into the water and was able to rescue the man, who nearly drowned, according to the town council.
Several witnesses alerted authorities and the emergency services and the victim, a tourist from Barcelona, was taken to the Regional Hospital of the Axarquia by the 061 emergency team at around 8.45am. He is reported to be recovering successfully from the incident.
Deputy mayor of Torre del Mar, Jesus Perez Atencia, attended the scene to publically congratulate the heroic act of the “improvised-lifeguard,” Antonio Ortega.