British student, 22, drowns in Lake Como after taking dip from boat with girlfriend

A British student has drowned in Italy ’s Lake Como after being left stranded when the boat he had hired with his girlfriend drifted away in high winds.

The 22-year-old and his 19-year-old partner had headed onto the lake and travelled around four miles from their hotel in Tremezzina.

Italy is in the grip of a heatwave and the pair dived from the boat to take a dip.

However the wind whipped up and they were unable to swim back to the vessel as they were caught in strong currents during their trip on Wednesday.

The man disappeared into choppy waters and his girlfriend lost sight of him. She was picked up by another boat that happened to be passing.

The struggling girl was saved when a boat passing by chance noticed her, scooped her up and brought her back to shore.

She raised the alarm over her missing partner and a massive search and rescue operation was launched.

Firefighters and helicopters and a plane from the Guardia di Finanza combed the lake and shores in the Menaggio looking for the student.

But his body was spotted by a Guardia di Finanza aircraft near Griante and recovered on Wednesday evening.

The local police have launched an investigation to fully assess the circumstances of the death.

A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died Italy and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Lake Como, which is 146 square kilometres, is a popular tourist destination.

Actor George Clooney and singer Madonna have owned villas on the shores of the lake.

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