An unidentified 45-year-old man died Thursday after drowning in a fountain in the urban area of Murcia, according to police sources and witness accounts. Early reports indicated he had moved toward the river seeking relief from the heat, but subsequent information pointed to the collapse and death occurring at the nearby fountain. Eyewitnesses noted signs that he might have been under the influence of a toxin or substance at the moment of the incident, raising questions about his condition prior to the event and whether exposure or intoxication played a role in the tragedy. [attribution: local police and first responders]
The incident occurred at the entrance to the mall in Dock, with emergency responders alerted just before 4:30 p.m. A bystander near the Manterola Pedestrian Bridge signaled that someone required urgent medical care, prompting rapid coordination among on-site guards and security personnel. Onlookers described a day of unusually high heat that intensified the urgency and possibly influenced the sequence of events. [attribution: witnesses on site]
According to those present, the man sought relief from the extreme temperatures by moving toward a fountain near the podium. Moments later, he collapsed and sank beneath the water. Observers noticed a shallow opening in the pool that could prove dangerous if a person were to lose consciousness. Despite swift attempts to pull him to safety and administer life-saving measures, the efforts did not succeed, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Nearby thermometers reportedly indicated temperatures around 46 degrees Celsius, underscoring the intensity of the heat that day. [attribution: on-site responders and observers]
Civil Protection ground crews and local police responded promptly, with support from the National Police and ambulance services. The body was covered with a white sheet as investigators prepared to transport it to the morgue, while awaiting judicial authorization for removal. The area was secured to preserve potential evidence during initial assessments at the location. [attribution: municipal authorities]
The coroner on duty and judicial authorities were notified to arrange the transfer of the body to the Murcia Institute of Forensic Medicine for autopsy procedures. The autopsy aims to determine the exact cause of death, whether immersion suffocation was the primary factor or if a pre-existing medical condition contributed to the collapse. The deceased has been identified as a Valencian by origin, known to reside in Cartagena, though further identification steps were anticipated to confirm particulars and ensure proper handling by investigators. Details gathered by police and health officials will continue to shape the ongoing understanding of this incident and its context within the city of Murcia. [attribution: health and law enforcement officials]