Make it safe

A 35-year-old man holidaymaker died trying to save the life of a seven-year-old boy who was dragged out to sea by the strong current at Burton Bradstock at the western end of Chesil Beach yesterday.

The boy, from Gloucestershire, who was rescued by a lifeguard from the nearby Freshwater Caravan Park and airlifted to hospital, was in a critical condition today at Southampton General Hospital.

The 22-year-old lifeguard from Bridport was kept in Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester overnight for observation while the boy's mother who was also taken to hospital, was discharged last night. Eyewitnesses told how rescue attempts on the beach were hampered by minimal safety equipment and that there were hardly any signs warning people of the hazardous sea conditions.

Last year, West Dorset Coroner Michael Johnston called for a survey of warning signs and lifesaving equipment off Chesil Beach after hearing how 39-year-old Carol Crozier from Shepton Mallet drowned when she was pulled out to sea from the beach at West Bexington, about three miles from Burton Bradstock.

A study by West Dorset District Council found that beaches along the world heritage coast including Burton Bradstock had steep shelves and strong undertows.

A district council spokesman said money was spent earlier this year on erecting new signs on beaches the authority owns. He said Dorset County Council was going to review signs on beaches it owns and those in private hands.

It is understood that part of the beach at Burton Bradstock is owned by the Freshwater Caravan Park, but a spokesman for the park was unable to confirm whether the incident took place on the stretch it owned.

Yesterday's drama began shortly after 11am when the boy, who had been playing on the shoreline with his 11-year-old sister, was hit by a big wave, pulled under the water and out to sea by the strong undertow.

Portland Coastguard watch manager Jim Anderson said although sea conditions were moderate there was a force six easterly wind with a very rough swell which created an undertow, making it very dangerous on the shoreline.

Several people, including the boy's mother, rushed into the sea in a desperate attempt to save the child but also found themselves in difficulty.

Lifeguards were praised for their efforts in bringing people ashore.

The boy and the lifeguard who had managed to swim to him were plucked from the sea by the Portland Coastguard rescue helicopter which was on scene in less than five minutes after being scrambled.

A volunteer from West Bay Coastguard went into the sea to help the 35-year-old man and they were pulled from the water by the Lyme Regis lifeboat. The man, from Blackpool, was airlifted to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester but died shortly afterwards. Dorset Chief Constable Jane Stitchbury was on patrol in the area with Bridport officers when the accident happened.

She said: "Police are investigating what appears to be a tragic incident. It appears that a young child and possibly another has got into difficulties. Holidaymakers should be very wary of tides which can change very suddenly."

Eyewitness James Jarrett, 33, a lifeguard from Cornwall, said: "Those lifeguards need to get an award. But they hadn't got the equipment properly to handle the situation. There was a man 300 yards offshore but the rope wasn't long enough to reach him. There wasn't enough rescue equipment.

"They did a good job though and deserve a slap on the back.

"It's pure ignorance about how dangerous these waters can be and there are hardly any warning signs."

Melvin Smith, 70, lifeguard at Freshwater Caravan Park, said: "Two boys ran up and got me at the poolside. I went down to the beach and there was a child and five adults in the water - there were two men, one was face down, a woman and our two lifeguards who had just been cleaning the beach.

"With a few others I helped the woman out. She was cold and in a state of shock so we put her in a recovery position on the beach. An air ambulance lifted her to hospital.

"We were frantically trying to get more help. The lifeboat was about 20 feet from the shore and had a man out on a rope but they couldn't get to the man who was floating.

"Apparently, a wave had come over a youngster and took him in.

"The lifeguard was the one who did mouth-to-mouth on the boy when he was in the water. They are the heroes." Pete Ford, 44, from Reigate in Surrey, said: "At 9.45am I went up to look at the beach and it was rough. I looked along the beach from the car park and I could see massive waves crashing on to the beach. They were exceptionally high.

"There were two kids around eight years old. As the breakers came in they were running through it back to the shore - it looked dangerous. There were a few adults only a few yards away."

He later heard the helicopter. "I saw them lift one person out and the second person who was a child. A good while later I saw a man in the lifeboat who looked as if he was being resuscitated - they winched him up from the boat."

Hayley King, 41, from Bournemouth, said: "We saw the man being lifted up by the helicopter. He wasn't winched up straight away. It was grim to watch."

Jamie Ellis, 14, from Bournemouth, said: "I saw a net go over a lady. Me and my friend's uncle grabbed her and led her into the shore. I saw an adult get lifted into the helicopter."

Sam Blandford, 14, from Verwood, said: "We could see three or four people floating. They got the lady with a net and another man who was unconscious."

Scott Thomas, 11, from Forest of Dean, and Harry Shelswell, 12, from Winchester, said: "We were fishing on the beach and there were big waves and we saw this boy get dragged in. A lady went in after him and a man jumped in. We cycled back and got the lifeguard."

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "This is a tragic incident. We want anyone who has information about the incident to contact Dorset Police on 01305 222500."