PICTURED: British father-of-two, 43, who died while trying to swim to a platform in the middle of a Swiss lake
- Abdal Hakim was swimming in lake Schwendisee in St. Gallen Canton
- First responders tried to resuscitate him and an air ambulance was on the scene
- But they were unable to revive the father-of-two and he died on the platform
A father-of-two has been identified as the British man who tragically drowned in a Swiss lake.
Abdal Hakim, 43, was swimming toward a platform in the middle of Schwendisee, a small lake in St. Gallen Canton, north-eastern Switzerland on Friday afternoon, when he got caught in the current and began to struggle.
Mr Hakim, who has two young children and is from Norwich, was pulled onto a wooden floatation device by first responders who attempted to resuscitate him as onlookers called for help.
An emergency medic was lowered from an air ambulance and joined rescue efforts, but he could not be revived. He was declared dead at the scene.
Mr Hakim’s grieving wife Salsabil Morrison – one of the UK’s top 50 wedding photographers – is now trying to repatriate his body while also processing the prospect of raising their two daughters without her husband.
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.’
Abdal Hakim, 43, (pictured with one of his children) drowned while swimming in the middle of Schwendisee, a small lake in St. Gallen Canton, north-eastern Switzerland
Mr Hakim’s grieving wife Salsabil Morrison (pictured together with their children) – one of the UK’s top 50 wedding photographers – is now trying to repatriate his body while also processing the prospect of raising their two daughters without her husband
‘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 set up to help cover the costs of a funeral and to support Ms Morrison and her children going forward.
Ms Morrison’s sister has also temporarily taken control of her wedding photography business and will be contacting clients in the coming days regarding bookings for 2022.
She’s also made contact with recent brides who are awaiting their edited wedding pictures to inform them of the tragedy.
Swimming in lakes is one of the most popular activities for tourists and locals during warmer months in Switzerland.
But authorities warn the activity is dangerous and can be deadly – particularly for tourists who aren’t aware of currents or prime entry and exit points.
Over the past decade, an average of 46 people drown in Switzerland annually.
Data shows more than 80 per cent of these fatalities are men, while 14 per cent are tourists or foreigners.
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.
Pictured: Mr Hakim and his family before his tragic death in Switzerland on Friday
The tragedy took place on the small lake of Schwendisee in St. Gallen Canton, north-eastern Switzerland, on Friday afternoon
Swimming and water safety lessons are widely institutionalised in Switzerland and most locals are raised swimming in the 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 offered several tips for any inexperienced tourists planning to swim in a Swiss river, including always carrying a floating aid and going with a local who does it regularly.
‘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.’
The St. Gallen Cantonal Police said Mr Hakim’s exact cause of death would be determined under the direction of the public prosecutor’s office.
In a statement, they said St.Gallen canton police, the AP3 air rescue service, the local fire brigade, a rescue specialist and a care team were all deployed to the scene of the tragedy to assist Mr Hakim.
The St. Gallen Cantonal Police said Mr Hakim’s exact cause of death would be determined under the direction of the public prosecutor’s office
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