British man, 33, drowns in Austrian lake after suffering cramp in foot as female pal ‘screamed for help’
A BRITON has drowned in Austria after suffering cramp in his foot while swimming in a lake, say police.
The man, 33, was swimming at the Schwarzindien beach area in Mondsee, less than 20 miles east of Salzburg, on Wednesday when he complained of cramp.
Cops said the Brit was with a 36-year-old woman, also from England, when he told her he was in pain before sinking into the water.
They added: "When he did not come back to the surface of the water, she screamed for help."
Other bathers hurried over to try and help him.
Salzburg Water Rescue members, who used several boats to locate him, found the man submerged in five-metre-deep water at about 4.30pm, reports Salzburg24.
He was taken ashore and a doctor visiting the lake provided first aid and tried to resuscitate the swimmer, but was unsuccessful.
Firefighters, police, Red Cross personnel, and a rescue helicopter all attended the incident.
Paramedics called to the scene said he had died.
What causes cramp in your feet and legs?
During a cramp, your muscles suddenly shorten and contract - causing pain.
This is known as a spasm, and you won't be able to control the affected muscle for up to 10 minutes.
When you exercise, for example while swimming, you can be afflected by cramp because of overexertion or dehydration.
It's recommended that if you are struck by muscle cramp while swimming you should try to get out of the water as quickly as possible, without making the muscle recramp.
Once out of the water, you can stretch and massage the affected area.
This should be followed up with a hot compress - and an ice pack later.
Leg cramps can occur for no apparent reason, but sometimes there is a medical cause.
Causes include taking statins and other medicines, liver disease, alcoholism, dehydration, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, neuromuscular disorders (e.g. motor neuron disease) and having flat feet.
Both inactivity and over-exercising can cause cramp.
Most episodes can be relieved by exercising the affected muscles, by doing a calf stretch, and/or massaging the muscle.
Taking a warm bath or using an ice pack can help. You should also drink plenty of fluids, especially isotonic sports drinks.
Most people only need medication in the worst cases.
Nocturnal leg cramps can be a big disturbance when it comes to sleeping through the night.
They are most likely caused by the long period of inactivity.
If you get cramps at night, it's a good idea to stretch before bed - as well as keeping your sheets loose.
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