Tributes have been paid to 18-year-old Callum Osborne-Ward, who died after rescuing several children from a riptide in Poole Harbour, Dorset. The incident occurred on Monday, July 26, when a group of 13 youngsters were swept away by a strong current near Black Bridge at Rockley Point.
Callum, from Coventry, was on holiday with his family at a nearby caravan park. He and other family members managed to bring the children to safety, but Callum ran out of energy and was unable to reach a rescue boat. His body was found on Friday, July 30, after a four-day search involving coastguard crews, RNLI lifeboats, police divers, and local volunteers.
In a statement, his family described him as a 'selfless hero' who always put others first. His brother Ryan Baker-Osborne said: 'It is with the hardest of hearts and disbelief that I have to say that today they found my beautiful brother.' His mother Ann Marie Osborne expressed similar grief.
The family added: 'Callum was the life and soul of the family, forever making us smile. Our selfless hero who always put everyone's welfare above his own.' Members of the public also paid tribute, with one saying: 'His own life gone to save others will always be remembered as a hero.'
