Two men have tragically died after helping two children who had got into difficulty in the sea at Seaton Carew. The incident happened around 3.45pm today - Sunday, July 12.
Police were called after concerns were raised for two children who had got into difficulty in the water at Seaton Carew beach. Officers attended the scene along with RNLI, Coastguard and North East Ambulance Service colleagues. Two men were reported to have gone into the water to assist the children. RNLI staff brought the men out of the water and they received immediate medical treatment, but were pronounced dead a short time later.
Both children are now confirmed to be safe, and were taken to hospital to be checked over. Specially trained officers are supporting both families at this extremely difficult time.
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.
"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.“Please take extra care and enjoy the warm weather as safely as possible."
A NEAS 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.
"Two patients were taken to North Tees Hospital for further treatment.”
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