British man in 'critical condition' after getting into difficulties in the sea off Spanish tourist hotspot

Emergency responders were able to stabilise the pensioner on the sand before an ambulance took him to the island's hospital.

Doctors then decided he should be flown by helicopter to Can Misses Hospital in Ibiza given the seriousness of his condition.

The drama occurred just after 3.30pm this afternoon and the 70-year-old, who has not been named, was moved to intensive care as he fought for his life.

It was not immediately clear if he was alone at the time of the near-drowning or with his family or friends.

Ses Illetes, which has, in the past, been hailed as the one of the world's most beautiful beaches, is seen as the most representative feature of Formentera's spectacular coastline.

It can be found within the Ses Salines de Eivissa and Formentera Natural Park, occupying a large area of the west side of the Es Trucadors peninsula, in the extreme north of Formentera.

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There are more than 450 metres of beach divided into two parts by a small rocky area in the middle.

Just last week, two British holidaymakers lost their lives after being swept away by a torrent of water in a flooded Majorca canyon.

The pair were named as Alexander Johnson, 32, and his girlfriend Sarah Jane Thompson, 26.

They had been hiking through a canyon called the Torrent de Pareis when tragedy struck during a surprise storm.

On Friday, Spain's Civil Guard announced they had found Johnson's body while combing through mountainous terrain in Majorca after the storm.

Authorities had earlier said another 10 hikers had been rescued from the canyon after being surprised by Tuesday's storm and they reported two people being swept away.