A father who died trying to save his two children from the sea has been named locally as Wayne Taylor. The tragedy unfolded at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool on Sunday, when what started as a family day out turned to disaster after two youngsters encountered difficulty in the water. Taylor plunged into the sea, followed by a second man who had been walking his dog with his partner. Both men were brought back to shore by the RNLI at about 3.45pm, but were pronounced dead a short time later. The children – a boy aged 11 or 12 and a younger girl – were taken to hospital as a precaution and confirmed safe.
Davey Short, a 48-year-old painter and decorator from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, was walking along the beach when he saw the commotion. “I realised something was not right because there was a woman screaming and shouting,” he said. He ran into the water and, on his second attempt, managed to pull the boy to safety. “I wish I could have done more. I would do it again if I had to, I’m a dad with kids of my own.” Short described how the children’s mother, who could not swim, was hysterical on the beach, and how the eldest son had also tried to rescue his siblings before Short intervened. “I saw a second figure next to the boy and he was face down in the water. I discovered afterward that the children's father had gone in to rescue them, was swept away, and didn't get back out. A second man had also gone in and he drowned as well. She saw the whole thing, it's devastating to think about that.”
“Father Wayne Taylor and another man died rescuing two children from the sea at Seaton Carew beach.”
Cleveland Police Superintendent Glen Ward offered condolences: “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 reminding the public that “open water comes with serious risks”. Labour Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash described the deaths as a “heartbreaking tragedy” for the town.
The beach is only covered by lifeguards during the summer school holidays, which have yet to start. Hartlepool Borough Council leader Graham Harrison, of Reform UK, has asked for a full review of water safety arrangements at Seaton Carew and across the area’s coastline. Seaton Carew Independent councillor Sue Little has called for lifeguards to be in place from May until the end of September, and a petition for extended provision has gained more than 1,600 signatures. The emergency response involved Hartlepool, Redcar and Staithes Coastguard Rescue Teams, police and the North East Ambulance Service.