Pictured: Brit who was killed by lightning strike while paddleboarding in Rhodes
Pictured: Brit who was killed by lightning ‘while girlfriend filmed him paddleboarding’ in Rhodes – as friends say his family is ‘heartbroken’
- Scott Seddon, 26, died yesterday afternoon on a beach in Rhodes, Greece
- Mr Seddon was paddle boarding in the sea when he was struck by lightning
The father of a British tourist killed by lightning while paddleboarding in Greece is said to be “heartbroken and distraught” over his son’s death.
Greek officials had previously named the Briton as 26-year-old Scott Seddon who was electrocuted Monday afternoon in the Agia Agathi area of Rhodes while his girlfriend was reportedly filming him at sea.
Mr Seddon, who lived with his sister Layla and father Steve in a large bungalow in Liverpool, was described by close friends as a ‘nice guy’ and ‘very popular’.
The avid sportsman, trained as a civil engineer and working in construction, spoke Greek and was a regular visitor to the family’s holiday home.
A friend of the family told MailOnline: ‘I spoke to his father and he told me that Scott had been electrocuted.
Scott Seddon (pictured) died after being struck by lightning while his girlfriend filmed him paddle boarding in Greece
Greek officials had previously named the Briton as 26-year-old Scott Seddon who was electrocuted Monday afternoon in the Agia Agathi area of Rhodes while his girlfriend was reportedly filming him at sea
Mr Seddon, who lived with his sister Layla and father Steve in a big bungalow in Liverpool, was described by close friends as a ‘nice guy’ and ‘very popular’
“He said he was upset. Steve couldn’t say anything more. He’s heartbroken.”
He added: ‘His sister flew over there last night to be with the rest of the family. Scott was a nice guy and very popular.
‘He used to live with the family in Greece and spoke Greek. He loved it there, but now they are going to visit their holiday home there and now live here again.’
Mr. Seddon died at the scene despite efforts by his girlfriend, a resident of Brazil, and emergency services to save him.
Brazilian Wander Machado, 47, told Greek news outlet Rodiaki: ‘I swam to get him out. But once I got to the board, I saw his body bent over and lying face down on the board. His face had turned purple.
“I knew right away that every second was crucial and started pulling it to shore.”
Reportedly, other tourists had urged the man to leave the water when he ran into trouble around 1.30pm local time (11.30am BST).
His girlfriend and other beachgoers reportedly started calling for help after he was struck by lightning.
Mr Seddon (pictured), who lived with his sister Layla and father Steve in a large bungalow in Liverpool, was described by close friends as a ‘lovely and very popular man’
Beachgoers and emergency services desperately tried to save Mr Seddon’s life (pictured surfing in July 2021) but were unable to revive him
Mr Seddon (pictured) died after an ambulance and medics arrived and was later taken to Archangelos Health Center
Reportedly, other tourists had urged the man to leave the water when he ran into trouble around 1.30pm local time (11.30am BST). In the photo: the beach of Agia Agathi
He was then pulled out of the water by the people on the beach and, according to witnesses, was ‘still alive’.
But he died after an ambulance and medics arrived and was later taken to Archangelos Health Center.
Machado added: ‘I was afraid the same thing would happen to me as it was still raining, but I didn’t stop.
“Rescuers arrived shortly after and performed all CPR procedures to keep him alive. Unfortunately I found out a little later that he didn’t make it.’
According to Rodiaki, an investigation has been launched by the Central Port Authority of Rhodes.
An FCDO spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Rhodes and are in contact with local authorities.”