Hero Dad Drowns While Trying to Save His Sons: A Heartbreaking Beach Tragedy

A DAD-OF-TWO drowned after trying to rescue his sons after they got into trouble in the ocean.

Hero bystander Davey Short, 48, helped rescue one of the little boys after a mum pleaded with beachgoers to help save him.

Two men died following a rescue mission to save two drowning boys Credit: BackGrid Davey Short helped save one of the drowning children Credit: NNP

Yesterday at Seaton Carew beach in County , .

Davey explained how he sprang into action after he saw a child who was struggling in the rough seas while his father was floating face down next to him.

The Seaton Carew local said: “I was sat on the sand dunes, and I saw a lad in the sea.

“He was next to a man with his head in the water, and initially I thought he was snorkelling.

One of the men who died was the father of the two children Credit: BackGrid Davey explains how he sprang into action Credit: NNP

“A woman was hysterical on the beach. I asked her what the matter was and she said, ‘Will you save my son?’ I can’t swim.”

The decorator and painter rushed into the ocean to bring the lad to safety, despite screams from onlookers not to help.

Davey said: “I am a dad myself. I didn’t even think about the danger to myself. I just wanted to get that little lad out.

“I couldn’t not go in. There were people screaming at me not to go into the water, but I said, ‘I am not leaving that bairn’.”

Davey claims it took the emergency services around 40minutes to attend and says he had no choice but to risk his own life to rescue the child.

“Instinct took over, I ran straight in, and swam out as far as I could. I was telling the lad to try and swim towards me,” he said.

“[The child] managed to get to me, but I was struggling to get back out with him.

“Another man came to give me a hand, and we managed to get him out of the water. Two of us dragged him out while the waves were hitting us.

“The little boy was fine, but it was too late for the other two men who had tried to help before me.

“I couldn’t get further out to get to them. It was scary, the waves were hitting me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get to them.”

Davey says the boy he saved was about 12 or 13 and had been playing in the waves when he got swept out to sea.

His older brother, who was rescued by a different man, is believed to be around 15 and got into trouble after trying to save his sibling which is when other beachgoers got involved.

According to Davey, during the rescue mission the father of the youngsters tragically died along with another man.

Davey said: “I know I had put my own life at risk, but I had no choice. Everybody has thanked me.

“The mother was hysterical, but she has thanked me so much and has been messaging me.

“I am not a hero, I just did what any man in my position would do. I just went in. I didn’t even think about it.”

Yesterday, Superintendent Glen Ward of Cleveland , 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 , 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.”

HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard coordinated the response to an incident reported at Seaton Carew at about 3.40pm on 12 July.

“Hartlepool, Redcar and Staithes Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent as well as two RNLI lifeboats from Hartlepool. Cleveland Police and North East Ambulance Service also attended.”