Calls to extend lifeguard service after sea deaths
BBCThe death of two men who went into the sea to help two children has prompted calls for more lifeguard provision including outside school holidays.
The alarm was raised at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool at about 15:45 BST on Sunday. Cleveland Police said the RNLI brought the men out of the water but they were pronounced dead a short time later.
The beach is currently covered by lifeguards every day during the summer school holidays, but local residents said the service was needed for longer.
Hartlepool Borough Council leader Graham Harrison said he has asked for "a full review of the current water safety arrangements at Seaton Carew" and across the area's coastline.
He said: "That work is now under way and will take place alongside any investigations being carried out."
Seaton Carew Independent councillor Sue Little has asked for lifeguards to be put in place from May until the end of September, while a petition calling for the provision to be extended outside the school holidays has received more than 1,600 signatures.
Hartlepool, Redcar and Staithes Coastguard Rescue Teams attended the emergency on Sunday, as well as the RNLI, Cleveland Police and North East Ambulance Service.
Police said the children were taken to hospital to be checked over and were confirmed to be safe.
Davey Short was walking along the beach when he spotted a boy in the water.
"I realised something was not right because there was a woman screaming and shouting," he said.
"I ran straight in and dived into the water, I got a bit scared myself and came back in a way to get my bearings."
On his second attempt he got out and managed to pull the boy to safety.
Short said: "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."
Another local resident David Allan called the deaths "tragic".
"There hasn't been any lifeguards all year," he said. "None whatsoever.
"People go into the water and they just don't know what it's going to do."
Meanwhile Sandra Gleeson said it was a "big shock for everybody".
"Lifeguards should be on a weekend," she said. "This beach is full with families.
"You can't be 24/7 with your kids, but I think lifeguards, that's what they're qualified for.
"They should be down here more often."
Adrian Barron added: "They have lifeguards when the schools are on holiday, but apart from that, nothing.
"Everybody's just totally shocked, they can't believe it."
Cleveland Police said the men's deaths were not being treated as suspicious and a file would be prepared for the coroner.
