The Palanga spot where a young man drowned nearly claimed another life on Sunday

A man nearly drowned at the same Palanga spot where a 17-year-old Polish boy lost his life in August. He had entered the Baltic Sea with an inflatable float while a red flag warned people to stay out of the water.

Rescuer Kajus Pirožnikas said the man was swept by the current beneath the bridge at about 2:10 p.m. The sea was rated at five points for wave activity. Rescuers spotted him immediately and reached the scene without delay.

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Drowning near the bridge. Red flag raised. Waves, five points.

The man survived, but both he and the rescuer were badly scratched by rocks after reaching the shore. Pirožnikas said the incident once again showed how quickly the sea can become dangerous. He urged people not to enter the water when a red flag is flying and not to endanger themselves or rescuers.

The location was also the scene of August’s fatal accident. A 17-year-old visitor from Poland drowned after swimming in a prohibited area near Palanga Bridge, where strong currents form. Rescuers found his brother clinging to the bridge’s supports. Divers later recovered the teenager’s body from among rocks near the bridge.

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When the red flag is raised, do not enter the water and do not risk your life or the lives of rescuers.