Brit, 26, who was killed by lightning while stand-up paddleboarding in Rhodes is named

A British tourist who died after being struck by lightning while his girlfriend filmed him paddleboarding in Greece has been named locally.

Greek officials named the tourist as Scott Aaron Seddon, 26, who died on Monday afternoon after he was struck by lightning while paddleboarding in the Agia Agathi area of Rhodes, Greece.

Mr Seddon died at the scene despite attempts by his girlfriend, a Brazilian resident and emergency services to save him.

Brazilian resident Wander Machado, 47, told news outlet Rodiaki: ‘I swam to get him out. But once I reached the board, I saw his body crouched over and face down on the board. His face had turned purple.

‘I immediately knew that every second was crucial and started pulling him to the shore.’

It’s understood that other tourists had urged the man to leave the water when he encountered difficulties at around 1.30pm local time (11.30am BST).

His girlfriend and other beachgoers reportedly started calling for help after he was struck by lightning. 

He was then pulled out of the water by those on the beach and was ‘still alive’, according to witnesses.

But he passed away after an ambulance and medics arrived and was later taken to Archangelos Health Centre.

Mr Machado added: ‘I was worried that the same thing would happen to me as it was still raining but I didn’t stop.

‘The rescuers arrived shortly afterwards and performed all the resuscitation procedures to keep him alive. Unfortunately, I found out a little later that he didn’t make it.’

An investigation by the Central Port Authority of Rhodes has been launched,  according to Rodiaki.

An FCDO spokesperson said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Rhodes and are in contact with local authorities.’