A young woman suffered a gruesome death when she jumped into the sea to retrieve her flip-flops and was shredded by a boat propeller.

Natalia Andrea Larranaga Fajardo, 26, bled profusely after sustaining horrific injuries to her legs, buttocks, and lower back in the waters off White Wata Beach in San Andres, Colombia.

Mobile phone footage taken in the wake of the accident shows how nearby boaters screamed in terror at the unfolding scene.

According to reports, the holidaymaker from Cali had jumped into the water to retrieve her flip-flops on 27th November when the tragedy occurred.

Bleeding heavily, she was taken by jet ski to a hospital on the island, where she underwent multiple blood transfusions and surgery to repair her arteries.

Medics also had to resuscitate her after she suffered a cardiac arrest.

After the operation, she was admitted to the ICU, but she suffered another cardiac arrest – this time fatal – in the early hours of the following morning.

According to reports, the boat involved in the incident was carrying 24 tourists and two crew members.

Dimar – Colombia’s maritime authority – said in a statement: “The vessel has been immobilised and its two crew members have been placed at the disposal of the relevant authorities by the Coast Guard of the Colombian Navy as part of the due process of investigation.”

Officials in San Andres reminded swimmers to keep clear of moving boats and to notify crew if entering the water.