Two men have tragically lost their lives after going into the sea to assist two children who were struggling in the water at Seaton Carew beach near Hartlepool. The incident occurred at approximately 3:45 pm on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Emergency Response
Police were alerted after reports of two children in difficulty in the water. Officers from Cleveland Police, along with the RNLI, Coastguard, and North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), rushed to the scene. It was reported that two men entered the water to help the children. Both children are confirmed safe and were taken to North Tees Hospital for examination.
The men were retrieved from the water by the RNLI and given urgent medical attention, but both were pronounced dead shortly afterward.
Police Statement
Superintendent Glen Ward of Cleveland Police 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. 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."
Support for Families
Specially trained officers are providing support to both families during this distressing time. Multiple police units and ambulance crews were present in car parks off The Front at the coastal resort. A photograph submitted to Teesside Live by a member of the public captured paramedics at what locals refer to as 'The Sandy Car Park', while the red and white Coastguard helicopter circled above the shoreline in front of the dunes.
Ambulance Service Details
A NEAS spokesperson confirmed: "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. Two patients were taken to North Tees Hospital for further treatment."
Witness Accounts
Video footage sent in by another reader who was spending the afternoon at North Gare sands further along the coast captured the helicopter hovering overhead, with a lifeboat visible passing by. Large crowds gathered along the promenade, watching on as emergency crews carried out their work.
