British Tourist Dies in Tenerife After Freak Wave

A 56-year-old British woman, Rose Buck, died in hospital in Tenerife on March 8, 2026, after being struck by a “freak wave” while swimming in Costa Adeje. Her daughter believes a recent earthquake may have contributed to the incident.

Details of the Incident

Rose Buck, a postal worker from Bradford, West Yorkshire, was on holiday in Tenerife when the tragedy occurred on February 25, 2026. After finding the hotel pool closed, she decided to swim at a location known as the ‘blue lagoon,’ typically a calm area. According to her daughter, Chantelle Buck-Forrest, a wave unexpectedly “flung” her mother against rocks, causing a C2 vertebra fracture and rendering her unconscious. Independent and Mirror reported on the incident.

Rescue and Hospitalization

Lifeguards were alerted by someone on the beach and quickly responded. Rose was submerged for approximately five minutes and resuscitation efforts took an additional 13 minutes. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she remained in critical condition. Doctors ultimately made the difficult decision to turn off her ventilator on March 6, citing extensive brain damage as the reason for the decision. Independent

Possible Link to Earthquake

Chantelle Buck-Forrest believes a 4.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Tenerife on February 25, 2026, likely caused the unusual wave. Independent and Mirror both reported this connection.

Family’s Grief and Remembrance

Chantelle Buck-Forrest described her mother as a “strong swimmer” and emphasized that swimming was a source of peace for her. The family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from those who knew Rose, with many describing her as a kind and generous person. Chantelle noted that her mother’s death occurred on International Women’s Day, which felt like a tribute to her life. Independent and Yahoo

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family during this difficult time.