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Tragedy in Lemwerder: 84-year-old drowns during car rescue attempt
An 84-year-old man died in Lemwerder while trying to save his car that had rolled into the Ochtum. Strong winds made the rescue difficult.
Tragedy in Lemwerder: 84-year-old drowns during car rescue attempt
A tragic incident occurred on Monday in Lemwerder when an 84-year-old man from Delmenhorst drowned while trying to rescue his car from the harbor basin. The senior citizen watched as his parked vehicle rolled into the water of the Ochtum due to strong winds. Without thinking, he jumped after him to retrieve his property. But the strong headwind made it impossible for him to return to shore.
The fire department was immediately alerted and began searching for the man. Despite the quick reactions of the emergency services, which consisted of the Delmenhorst professional fire brigade as well as volunteer fire brigades and the German Life Saving Society (DLRG), he initially disappeared. Thanks to a sonar boat, his position was finally located, but attempts by firefighters to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. The tragic end was finally determined when only the man's death could be determined. The entire operation involved around 50 forces fighting for the well-being of the senior, who was clearly in a desperate situation.
A well-known trend of drownings
This sad incident is not an isolated case. In 2023, the DLRG recorded a total of 411 fatal accidents in waters in Germany, representing an increase of 31 cases compared to the previous year. This is the third increase in a row, meaning that there have been more than 400 drowning victims for the first time since 2019. DLRG President Ute Vogt was concerned, but also appealed to people to become aware of the dangers, especially with a view to the upcoming warm season, in which many people will spend more time in and around the water. The DLRG plans to inform and raise awareness of possible dangers, particularly among parents of young children.
The incident in Lemwerder not only raises questions about safety when dealing with water, but also shows how quickly you have to act in a critical situation - often under great pressure and in a matter of seconds. The willingness of the emergency services to help is high, but it is becoming increasingly clear that it is important to take preventative measures to avoid such accidents.
As part of the community in Lemwerder that mourns the tragic fate of the senior citizen, we must all look for solutions to prevent such unnecessary tragedies in the future.
For more information about safety measures and the sad statistics of drowning accidents, visit [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/auto-rollt-in-hafen Becken-84-jaehriger-springt-hinterher-und-stirbt,ochtum-100.html), [t-online].