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Seaton Carew rescue deaths
Two men died after going into the water at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool to try to help two children who had gotten into difficulty, Cleveland Police said.
“Officers were called at about 3.45pm on Sunday after concerns were raised”
Police were called at about 3.45pm on Sunday after concerns were raised about the two youngsters in the water, and the children were confirmed to be safe and taken to hospital to be checked over.
RNLI staff brought the men out of the sea and they received immediate medical treatment, but both were pronounced dead a short time later.
Supt Glen Ward said, "Despite the best efforts of emergency services, sadly both men were pronounced dead a short time after being brought out of the sea."
The BBC said the men went into the water and were brought out by the RNLI, and that the deaths were not being treated as suspicious with a file prepared for the coroner.
Officials urge caution
Cleveland Police said the deaths were not being treated as suspicious and that a file would be prepared for the coroner, while specially trained officers supported both families.
Supt Glen Ward urged the public to avoid open water, saying, "We would encourage people to refrain from entering any open water at all."
The BBC reported that Labour Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash described the incident as a "heartbreaking tragedy" and said, "There are no words that can lessen the pain their families, friends and loved ones are now experiencing."
The Guardian also quoted Ward reminding people that open water comes with serious risks and encouraging people to "refrain from entering any open water at all."
The Hartlepool Mail similarly quoted Ward telling residents to "Please take extra care and enjoy the warm weather as safely as possible."
Heatwave context and risk
The Guardian linked the incident to a broader pattern of water-related deaths during hot weather, saying there have been a number of water-related deaths in recent days amid the hot weather.
“Seven people died in the UK in water-related incidents during the heatwave in June”
It reported that seven people died in the UK in water-related incidents during the heatwave in June, and 15 in May, and described cold water shock as particularly dangerous when people jump or dive.
The BBC said the Cleveland force called at 15:45 BST and that the children were taken to hospital to be checked over and are confirmed to be safe.
The Guardian also said scientists have said recent heatwaves across western Europe are the most severe and widespread ever and were only possible due to the climate crisis driven by fossil fuel burning.
In the same coverage, the Guardian added that almost half of Europe’s 850 largest cities endured their worst-ever heat stress last month, a combination of temperature and humidity, researchers found.
