Tragedy as hero father dies after saving his three children when they got caught in a rip-tide off Welsh beach
- Man in his 30s died after being flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor this afternoon
- Witnesses reported children in difficulty in water and a man swam to their aid
- Two of the children were taken to hospital for treatment after Barmouth incident
A hero father in his 30s has died ‘after rescuing his three children when they got caught in a rip tide’ on the Welsh coast.
North Wales Police confirmed the man, said to be on holiday in the area, died after being pulled from the water and flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor on Sunday.
Witnesses said three children had got into difficulty in the water near Barmouth and a man understood to be their father had jumped into the water to bring them ashore.
The children’s mother shared a frantic Facebook post when she learned of the terrifying incident, explaining how her ‘kids were drowning in the sea.’
She wrote: ‘Is anyone in Barmouth ASAP my kids were drowning in the sea and their dad has got them out but is now having CPR and my kids are on their own.’
Two of the children were taken to hospital for treatment but no other serious injuries were noted.
North Wales Police confirmed the man, said to be on holiday in the area, died after being flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor. Pictured: Barmouth beach today
A spokesman for North Wales Police said: ‘Police and the Coastguard were called at 1.58pm today to a report that a man had got into difficulty in the sea in Barmouth.
‘The man, believed to be in his 30s, was taken by Air Ambulance to Ysybyty Gwynedd, where he tragically died. His family have been made aware.’
Coastguards were alerted to the incident by a 999 call today, and a lifeboat was launched alongside a coastguard plane, rescue helicopter and the Air Ambulance.
Holyhead Coastguard, who co-ordinated the rescue operation, said four people were reported to be in the water.
A Coastguard spokesman said: ‘At 1.31pm HM Coastguard received a 999 call reporting people in the water off Barmouth and sent Barmouth coastguard rescue team, Barmouth RNLI lifeboat, and HM Coastguard’s fixed wing aircraft.
‘Barmouth harbour master and the coastguard rescue helicopter and Helimed also attended.
Witnesses said three children had got into difficulty in the water near Barmouth and a man had jumped into the water to bring them ashore. Pictured: Barmouth beach today
The children were initially taken to the lifeboat station on the promenade. Two were later taken to hospital by road ambulance
‘A male casualty was recovered from the water and transferred to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor in a serious condition.’
A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called at 1.39pm today to reports of persons caught in a rip tide at Barmouth beach.
‘We sent two rapid response cars and two emergency ambulances to the scene where crews were also supported by a Wales Air Ambulance and a search and rescue helicopter.
‘Three patients have been taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd.’
It was later confirmed a man in his 30s had died in hospital.
The children were initially taken to the lifeboat station on the promenade. Two were later taken to hospital by ambulance.
Three people in the sea at Hell’s Mouth, Abersoch, who had suspected hypothermia, were also tended to by coastguards and a lifeboat crew on the Lleyn Peninsula today.
In a third call-out, another lifeboat from Aberdyfi went to the aid of a man in the water before he was flown to hospital by an air ambulance helicopter.
HM Coastguard has urged visitors to the seaside to take extra care.