Mystery as Brit sailor, 44, collaborating in Greek regatta is discovered useless

Police are investigating the ‘mystery’ death of a British sailor found floating in the sea with head injuries at a yacht regatta on a Greek ‘island of the rich’. 

The unnamed 44-year-old was found dead ‘in a bay area’ of the island of Spetses, south of Athens, this morning with what appeared to be injuries on the left side of his head.

‘There was a gash to the left side of his head, a wound that is puzzling us,’ an official reported as investigators probe the shock death in Pireaus.

‘He seems to have been hit. We hope to have answers soon because right now it is a mystery as to how he died.’ 

According to Greek media, the sailor had been taking part in an annual classic yacht regatta on the island running from June 26 to 29 before he was found lifeless.

Spetses is holding a classic yacht regatta, which the victim is believed to have attended

File photo. The victim was reportedly found lifeless in the sea with head injuries near Spetses

There are conflicting reports as to where exactly the body was found with some reports claiming a crew on a passing vessel saw his body on the pier. 

Others said he was found on a boat.

The circumstances of his death have not yet been made clear.

He was taken to a local hospital which confirmed his death, the coastguard said.

The body is now expected to be transferred to a coroner’s office at the port city of Piraeus, The Sun reported.

Spetses is a small island in the Saronic Islands group with an area of just 27km squared and a population of just over 3,700.

The island is a notable destination for the rich and famous, with an annual regatta organised for classic yacht sailing.

Founded in 2011, the event is the ‘most popular race of its kind’ in Greece, organised every June for around 400 attendees, many using the regatta as an opportunity to show off rare traditional wooden boats in Greek and Latin styles.

The unfortunate discovery of a body this year follows a number of tragic reports of tourist deaths in recent months.

Six tourists have been found dead in Greece this month alone, with officials warning of the perils of an intense heatwave sweeping the Mediterranean.

The remains of a German hiker were found  in a ravine on the island of Crete on Monday.

The 67-year-old had been on holiday with his wife when he embarked on a 12.5 mile hike from the Omalos plateau to the village of Sougia on the southern coast.

Officials expect he lost his bearings in the heat and took a wrong turn on a path before going missing.

He is reported to have called his wife to say he was not feeling well before she lost contact.

At least three other tourists on Greek islands are still reported missing, including a retired US police officer and two French women.

Temperatures have soared past 40C (104F) this month, leading Greek authorities to close major tourists destinations and advise carrying water.

The famous Acropolis in Athens was shut earlier this month as temperatures were predicted to reach 43C (109.4F).

Daily Mail columnist and health writer Dr Michael Mosley tragically died from ‘heat exhaustion’ after ‘sitting down and losing consciousness’ while walking across the Greek island of Symi earlier this month, police said.

Dr Mosley, 67, was found in a rocky area at the resort of Agia Marina on June 9 after a five day search.

It is thought Dr Mosley may have sat down to gather himself after being overcome with exhaustion and by effects of the heat having taken a wrong turn down a mountain path.

Temperatures at the time had been nudging 40C and the excessive heat is thought to have played a role in his death. 

Searches were hampered by the heat, with rescue animals only able to work for one hour on Saturday 8.

A 44-year-old British sailor has been found dead in the Greek island of Spetses

The man is believed to have been taking part in the Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta running from June 26 to June 29

Radek Nowak, active product manager for Intrepid Travel, told MailOnline the company had been pressed to adapt, dropping hiking trips in Spain and Portugal during the hottest months and adding more ‘shoulder season’ trips later in the year to make it easier for people to avoid the heat.

‘If you’re heading out on a walk in the heat, my advice is to take plenty of water, wear a hat and map out rest stops before you go. In very hot weather, I’d advise people not to go alone – if possible walk with a friend or a local tour guide. 

‘If you are going alone, make sure someone knows where you’re heading and when you’ll be back.’