Two men have tragically died after entering the sea to rescue two children struggling in the water at Seaton Carew beach in the North East. The incident occurred at approximately 3:45 PM on Sunday, July 12.
Emergency Response
Police, RNLI, Coastguard, and North East Ambulance Service responded to reports of children in difficulty. The two men entered the water to help and were later recovered by the RNLI. Despite medical treatment, both were pronounced dead shortly after.
Both children were confirmed safe and taken to North Tees Hospital for precautionary checks.
Police Statement
Superintendent Glen Ward said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of both the men involved in this tragic incident today. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, sadly both men were pronounced dead a short time after being brought out of the sea."
He added: "We are conducting enquiries into the circumstances of what happened today, although the deaths are not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the Coroner."
Safety Warning
Ward urged the public to avoid open water: "I would like to remind everyone that open water comes with serious risks. We know it is inviting in the hot weather, but we would encourage people to refrain from entering any open water at all. Today we have sadly seen the true tragedy that can happen as a result."
Witness Accounts
Numerous police units and ambulance crews were present at car parks off The Front. A photo submitted to Teesside Live showed paramedics in 'The Sandy Car Park,' while a Coastguard helicopter circled above. Video footage from North Gare sands showed the helicopter hovering with a lifeboat passing by.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We received a call at 3.45pm on Sunday, July 12, to reports of an incident on Seaton Carew beach. We dispatched three ambulance crews, a clinical team leader, a duty officer, three crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), and requested support from our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who attended by road."
Large numbers of onlookers gathered along the promenade as emergency personnel worked.
