A father died after going into the sea to try to save his children at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool on Sunday, July 12. Another man, who had been walking his dog, also drowned after leaping into the water to help.
Witness Describes Harrowing Rescue
Davey Short, 48, from Bishop Auckland, helped pull one of the children to safety. He described the incident as the 'worst thing he has seen'. The children, aged 15, 11 or 12, and a younger girl, were caught in what he called a 'riptide'.
Short said: 'There were three children at the beach with their mam and dad... The two younger kids were in the sea and they'd started to struggle in the waves.' He initially saw a child in trouble and then a second figure face down in the water.
Father and Dog Walker Die
The children's father had gone in to rescue them but was swept away and did not return. A second man, walking his dog with his partner, also ran in to help and drowned. Short was the third person to enter the water.
Short managed to swim out and grab the eldest son, telling him 'swim to me'. With help from another man, he brought the boy to shore. All three children survived, but the father remained in the water for about 40 minutes before rescuers could reach him.
Police and RNLI Respond
Cleveland Police and RNLI lifeboats responded to what onlookers described as a 'major operation'. Emergency services remained at the scene on Monday. Relatives of the deceased are being supported by specially-trained police officers.
Temporary Chief Superintendent Helen Wilson said: 'Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the incident in Seaton Carew yesterday. We are continuing to carry out enquiries on behalf of the Coroner, and officers are supporting the families involved in this incident.'
Witness Reflects on Tragedy
Short, a painter and decorator, said: 'I felt for those children and for their mum, they saw it all happened and it's something that will never leave any of us. I didn't sleep a wink last night. Every time I closed my eyes I could see the man in the water.'
He added: 'It's the worst thing I've seen and shows how dangerous the tides can be. I'm also thinking about the poor partner of the other man. They were just having a Sunday walk along the beach and he did everything he could for a family he didn't even know, it cost him his life.'
