Drowning after jumping into the Hérault gorges: the victim is a 24-year-old from Montpellier who did not know how to swim well

The Dragon 34 helicopter was dispatched to the scene. Midi Libre – Illustration F. A.

The tragedy occurred this Sunday, August 18, around 3:30 p.m. in the Pont du Diable area, northwest of Montpellier.

The 24-year-old man who drowned in the Hérault River, this Sunday, August 18, around 3:30 p.m., is a Montpellier resident who had come to the Pont du Diable area to spend a relaxing afternoon with friends.

Unfortunately, the release turned into a tragedy. In fact, after jumping from a rock on the river bank, although he did come back up to the surface, he suddenly sank at this point where the gorges are quite deep.

Suction phenomenon?

His friends then called the Hérault fire brigade who dispatched the Dragon 34 helicopter in case it was necessary to evacuate him as quickly as possible to the Lapeyronie hospital centre. Except that the rescue services were unable to bring him back to life, despite all their efforts.

The investigations, carried out by the gendarmes of the Lodève company, have revealed that the young man's death had nothing to do with the jump itself but was the result of his not being able to swim well.

Was the unfortunate man the victim of an aspiration phenomenon ? The question remains unanswered.