- The man was not related to the children
By Emily Allen
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A man died while trying to rescue two children in a rubber ring after they got into difficulties just yards from the shore.
The 25-year-old had gone to the youngsters' aid barely five yards off West Wittering beach near Chichester, West Sussex after spotting them in difficulty in their inflatable.
He then found himself in trouble but could not be saved.
A helicopter lands on West Wittering beach in West Sussex yesterday. A man has died while trying to rescue two children after they got into difficulties in the sea
Tragedy: Witnesses at West Wittering beach, where a 25-year-old man drowned while going to the aid of two children who got into difficulty in the water
The incident happened yesterday afternoon as thousands of sun-seekers flocked to the beach to enjoy temperatures of around 26C.
Horrified onlookers called the emergency services when the incident happened about 12.45pm but by the time paramedics arrived it was already too late.
Ambulance crews then called in the police to deal with the incident.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said the man was not related to the children.
He said: 'On Saturday a tragic incident occurred on West Wittering beach, whereby a 25-year-old male accidentally drowned.
'The male went to the assistance of two children playing in a rubber ring some five metres from the shoreline.
Tribute: Flowers laid at West Wittering beach to the man who died attempting to rescue two children
A view of West Wittering. Horrified onlookers called the emergency services when the incident happened about 12.45pm
'In doing so he put himself in danger, which sadly resulted in him drowning,' said the spokesman.
A Solent Coastguard spokesman said: 'A man was pulled from the water on the West Wittering estate after he had tried to help two children.
'Their mother was understandably upset that this man had had this accident when he had tried to help them.'
A Sussex Police spokesman said: 'On Saturday 26th May a tragic incident occurred on West Wittering beach whereby a 25-year-old man accidentally drowned.
'The male went to the assistance of two children playing in a rubber ring some five metres from the shoreline.
'He managed to get the children to safety but in doing so put himself in danger which sadly resulted in him drowning.'
The West Sussex Coroner will be informed of the death so that an inquest can be opened and adjourned.
A post mortem examination will also be conducted on the man's body to confirm the cause of death.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
What a hero
- Liz Lemon, London, 27/5/2012 16:16
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