A vacation turned tragic on Saturday morning, March 23, for British tourists who had arrived in the country the day before. The head of the family, James Marshall Illingworth, 49, trying to save his 15-year-old son in difficulty in the Pomponette lagoon, was swept away by large waves before disappearing beneath the waves. Although his son was rescued, the search for him lasted well into the evening of Saturday, March 23, but was unsuccessful.
At around 10.15am on Saturday March 23rd, a team of police officers from Souillac police station, led by Sergeant Doobree, arrived on Pomponette beach. Immediately the machinery was set in motion for a search operation. The missing man was trying to rescue his son, who was in difficulty in the lagoon when he was swept away by large waves. The search was carried out at sea by elements of the Souillac National Coast Guard, with logistical support from the police helicopter.
The missing man had arrived in Mauritius on Friday March 22, with his partner and 15-year-old son.
They were due to return to the UK on Saturday March 30, the day before Easter.
