PARIS, France (AFP) — French second division footballer Kenzo Kies of Guingamp has drowned after he and three friends were caught in fast, choppy waters while cooling off in the heatwave engulfing the country.

Firefighters contacted by AFP on Tuesday said they had responded on Monday evening — when temperatures reached as high as 38C — to rescue four young men who were swimming in an area where the river forms waves.

By the time the firemen arrived three of the four had been pulled from the water while Kies was found in the water in a critical condition and taken to hospital.