A British father of two has been identified as the man who tragically drowned in a lake in Switzerland.
Friday afternoon, Abdal Hakim, 43, was swimming toward a platform in the middle of Schwendisee, a small lake in the canton of St. Gallen, northeastern Switzerland, when he became entangled in the current and started to fight.
Mr. Hakim, a Norwich resident with two small children, was hauled into a wooden floating device by first responders who tried to revive him while witnesses shouted for assistance.
A paramedic was dropped from an air ambulance to assist in rescue operations, but he was unable to be revived. His death was pronounced at the site.
Mrs. Salsabil Morrison, one of the top 50 wedding photographers in the United Kingdom, is attempting to repatriate Mr. Hakim’s body while processing the thought of parenting their two girls without her spouse.
A friend said: ‘My dear, dear friend is living what we all pray never happens. Her life partner, the father of her beautiful children has gone ahead, leaving them to live this life without him.’
‘She has always been there for her friends and loved ones and has also served the community endlessly by her husband’s side and before she was married.’
A fundraiser has been established to assist with funeral expenses and to provide ongoing assistance for Ms. Morrison and her children.
In addition, Ms. Morrison’s sister has temporarily assumed charge of her wedding photography company and will be contacting customers about 2022 reservations in the coming days.
She has also notified previous brides expecting their edited wedding photos about the tragedy.
During the warmer months in Switzerland, swimming in lakes is one of the most popular pastimes for visitors and residents alike.
Authorities warn that the practise is hazardous and potentially lethal, especially for visitors who are unaware of currents or access and departure sites.
Over the previous ten years, an annual average of 46 individuals have drowned in Switzerland.
More than eighty percent of these deaths are males, while fourteen percent are visitors or foreigners, according to the data.
Reto Abächerli, manager of the Swiss Life Saving Society, told SwissInfo there are a few key reasons as to why this may be.
‘They either don’t know the local waters, or their swimming skills are not up to Swiss standards,’ he said.
In Switzerland, swimming and water safety education are extensively institutionalised, and the majority of natives are reared swimming in lakes and rivers.
‘It is a certain cultural skill which the Swiss have developed over the years and is not very common beyond its borders,’ he said.
He advised novice travellers wishing to swim in a Swiss river to always bring a floatation device and to go with a native who does it often.
‘It is essential to find out where it is safe to enter a river and, more importantly, where to exit it,’ he said. ‘It takes more than being a good swimmer.’
Mr. Hakim’s specific cause of death will be established under the auspices of the public prosecutor’s office, according to the St. Gallen Cantonal Police.
They said in a statement that the St. Gallen canton police, the AP3 air rescue service, the local fire brigade, a rescue specialist, and a care team were sent to the site of the incident to help Mr. Hakim.