Steven Doorey-Williams, owner of Bayside Cafe near Dumpton Gap beach in Broadstairs, Kent, saved three children from rough seas on Wednesday. The ex-Royal Marine and former firefighter heard screams and ran into the water fully clothed, throwing a life ring to pull the children to safety.
Heroic rescue caught on video
Dramatic footage shows Doorey-Williams sprinting into the sea and using the life ring to rescue a young girl and two young boys struggling in the waves. Speaking to the BBC, he recalled the terrifying moment when the waves and wind were taking the kids "further out".
He said: "It was around two in the afternoon and I was cooking in the cafe when one of the beach hut owners came in shouting for help. So I stopped everything, ran outside and saw a boy and girl out to sea who were struggling to get back on dry land. The waves were high, the wind was up and they were being taken further out."
RNLI urges caution
The RNLI praised the cafe owner for his incredible act, but south east water safety lead Guy Addington added: "While this had a positive outcome, we would like to remind the public that entering the water to help someone in difficulty can put additional lives at risk."
The RNLI advised people to phone 999 or 112 if they see someone in trouble in the water and ask for the coastguard. The person in trouble should also be encouraged to float on their back.
Water safety campaign
The Mirror has launched the Save Lives for Sam water safety campaign to tackle the UK's growing drowning crisis. Backed by MPs, Olympic champions, national water safety organisations and bereaved families, the campaign is calling for urgent action to make our waters safer.
That includes compulsory water safety lessons in schools, a nationwide public awareness campaign, better lifesaving equipment at high-risk waterways, the introduction of Sam's Law, and a dedicated Minister for Water Safety.
