Olive Farrow, four, was weeks away from starting school when she was struck by a car on Nottingham Road in Gotham. Just hours later and 200 miles away, Ian Pascoe, 62, died after plunging into the sea at Seaton Carew to rescue two children. Both families have paid moving tributes, and police are investigating.
Emergency services were called to Nottingham Road at 2.28pm on Sunday, July 12, after reports that Olive had been hit by a vehicle. She was treated at the scene and taken to hospital, but died shortly afterwards. A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail, Nottinghamshire Police said.
“Families mourn 4-year-old Olive Farrow and 'hero' Ian Pascoe, who died in separate tragedies on July 12.”
In a statement released by police, Olive’s family described her as “a cheeky, funny and sassy little girl, who may have been tiny in size, but she certainly made up for it with her big personality.” They said: “Not a day went by without Olive singing and dancing her way round the house and spreading her affection; always kissing and cuddling and going out of her way to be kind to everyone.” The family added that she was “inseparable” from her brothers Teddy and Sonny, and “was due to join Sonny at primary school, having had her taster sessions. She was so excited to be joining her brother there.” A vigil was planned for Friday at St Lawrence’s Church in Gotham; the family asked media not to attend.
Sergeant Paul Clark of Nottinghamshire Police said: “This is a deeply tragic incident, and our thoughts continue to be with Olive’s loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time. I would also ask the privacy of the family is respected.”
On the same afternoon, at about 3.45pm, two children got into difficulty in the water at Seaton Carew beach. Ian Pascoe, from Peterlee, County Durham, and another man, Wayne Taylor, entered the sea to help. The children were rescued and taken to hospital as a precaution, but Mr Pascoe died. A third man, Davey Short, also helped and made it safely back to shore. He told ITV News: “I just wanted to get out there to help the little boy what was screaming ‘help’. I’m no hero, I just did what any man would do.”
Mr Pascoe’s family said in a statement: “It is with profound sadness that we confirm the death of our beloved father, husband, brother and grandad, Ian. He was deeply loved, and the loss we feel is immeasurable.” They thanked the emergency services and the public for their support.
The tragedy prompted an outpouring of tributes, with flowers left on the beach. More than 2,500 people signed a petition calling for lifeguards on Hartlepool’s beaches beyond the six-week school summer holidays. Hartlepool Borough Council has since launched a review of water safety provision along the coastline, including Seaton Carew, considering lifeguard provision, signage, education and prevention measures.
