Two men have died after entering the sea at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool to rescue two children who had got into difficulty. The incident, which unfolded around 3.45pm on Sunday, 12 July, drew multiple emergency services to the busy shoreline as the UK sweltered through its third heatwave in as many months.
Police confirmed they received a report that two children were in trouble in the water. Officers, along with the RNLI, Coastguard and North East Ambulance Service, rushed to the scene. The children were brought to safety and taken to North Tees Hospital for checks; both are now confirmed safe.
“Two men died after entering the sea to save two children at Seaton Carew beach, Hartlepool; children safe.”
But the two men who had gone in to help did not survive. RNLI crews brought them out of the water, where they received immediate medical treatment. Despite the efforts of paramedics, both were pronounced dead a short time later.
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 that the deaths are not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner, while specially trained officers are supporting the families.
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. Two patients were taken to North Tees Hospital for further treatment.”
A red and white Coastguard helicopter was also seen at the scene, and several police and ambulance crews remained in car parks off The Front at the seaside resort.
The tragedy comes after at least 41 deaths in water-related incidents since the start of May. With temperatures still high, authorities have warned people of the dangers of entering open water. Superintendent Ward urged: “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 surge in emergency calls during the hot weather has prompted Cleveland Police to ask the public to only call 999 if there is an immediate danger or a crime taking place, and to report other offences online.
