A hero grandfather died trying to save his nine-year-old granddaughter after she was pulled out to sea at a Cornish beach.
Phil Crow, 68, lost his life as he bravely entered the water at Tregirls Beach, near Padstow, on bank holiday Monday in a bid to rescue Sia Briskham after a sudden change in the tide.
His wife of 50 years Tina, 68, was also pulled out to sea and had to be rescued by a passing boat before being checked by a paramedic.
Mr Crow suffered a ‘cardiac arrest in the sea’ while trying to save them, and was later pronounced dead at the scene. Tina and Sia were brought to safety by members of the public.
The retired stonemason was a lifelong Padstow resident and leaves behind 11 brothers and sisters, as well as five grandchildren.
Tina said: ‘We were jumping up with the waves then all of a sudden we couldn’t hit the floor when we landed, it was deeper and was pulling us out.
‘He was shouting at her to lay on her back but she couldn’t stand, he pushed her to safety, but doing so meant he couldn’t get back himself. He was pushing her feet and just shouting swim, swim, swim.’
Mr Crow’s death came amid a weekend of tragedy as Brits flocked to beaches and swimming spots amid the heatwave – with the deaths of four boys and a girl also confirmed in Lincolnshire, Lancashire, West and South Yorkshire, as well as Warwickshire.
A body has also been found today by rescuers searching for a teenager who went missing while swimming in open water in Cheshire. Police said the body is believed to be that of the missing 17-year-old.
Phil Crow, 68, suffered a ‘cardiac arrest in the sea’ while bravely trying to help two relatives who got into difficulty in the water at Tregirls Beach
Speaking of the incident in Cornwall, Tina said another of their grandchildren, Nate, 12, was on the beach shouting for help but her husband told him to stay out of the water and get help. Around 15 people joined in the rescue.
She added: ‘We have been coming to the same beach for 50 years because it is the safest in the area.
‘We just want to thank all the emergency services who were absolutely fabulous, kind and very respectful in a difficult situation. It was difficult for them too because many of them knew him personally.’
Daughter Mel Thomas, 49, added: ‘He died a hero and wouldn’t have had it any other way.
‘He saved his granddaughter’s life, she’s safe but her and her brother Nate have been offered counselling.
‘He has five grandchildren and adores every one of them, absolutely adored them. He always told them he loved them so much, he would die to protect them and he is a man of his word.’
Phil and Walsall-born Tina met in Shropshire after he moved up there for work with his brother Nigel.
Tragically, Phil’s great grandfather William Brabyn died on the same beach in 1847 while rowing a boat that got stuck on the infamous Doom Bar.
Angie Crow, mother of Nate and Sia, said: ‘I’m just so thankful for him and what he did.’
Mr Crow was a popular local figure known for his sense of humour, which saw him dress up as a pirate and a superhero for recent events in the town.
The local Coastguard reported that a team of theirs had been called out to an incident at Tregirls beach and that the Rock RNLI Lifeboat and Cornwall Air Ambulance had also attended.
But they were unable to save Mr Crow, they said, adding: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and our local community.’
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘We were called by the Ambulance Service at around 3.50pm on Monday 25 May following a report of a man suffering a cardiac arrest in the sea at Tregirls Beach, Padstow.
‘Emergency services and the RNLI attended the scene but sadly, the local man in his 60s was pronounced deceased at the scene. His next of kin are aware.
‘The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner.’
Thousands of Brits flocked to beaches and popular swimming spots over the bank holiday weekend as temperatures reached record heights for the time of year.
Tuesday saw the hottest day in May on record as temperatures reached 35.1C at Kew Gardens in London.
The grandfather died after entering the sea at Tregirls beach near Padstow, Cornwall
Reco Puttock, 13, died in hospital after being pulled from the water at Leadbeater Dam, a popular swimming spot in Halifax, West Yorkshire, at around 3.20pm on Monday.
The teenager was rushed to hospital but sadly died despite the efforts of paramedics.
Just hours later, the body of a girl, believed to be 16, was recovered from a lake at a country park in Warwickshire.
South Yorkshire Police also responded to reports that a teenage boy had gone into the lake at Rother Valley County Park in Rotherham and had not re-emerged.
Emergency services recovered his body in the early hours of Monday morning.
On Tuesday, the body of a 12-year-old boy was then pulled from a river in Lancashire.
And on Sunday, police confirmed that 15-year-old Declan Sawyer drowned at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln at around 2.30pm.
Another teenage boy is missing after he was last seen swimming at Hawley Lake near Blackwater in Hampshire.
A major search is underway as marine and drone units have been deployed by local police alongside NPAS, the fire service, Hampshire search and rescue, Met Police divers and The Army.
A 15-year-old girl is also fighting for her life in hospital after getting into difficulty in the water off Formby Beach, Merseyside.
The parents of Reco, who died after entering the water in Halifax, paid tribute to their son, describing him as close to his three sisters and ‘especially with his big sister’.
His mother, Sam Puttock, said: ‘He loved being out with his friends. That’s what he enjoyed most.
‘I don’t know what to feel, I think I’ve just cried and cried since about 7am this morning… I don’t think I can bring myself to any more at the minute.’
Declan Sawyer’s father, Carl, warned other parents to educate their children on the dangers relating to bodies of water while issuing a touching tribute to his son.
Carl described the 15-year-old as ‘very much loved by his friends and family’, adding he will be ‘missed dearly by many’.
‘With his tragic and unexpected passing on Sunday at Swanholme Lakes, we would like to raise awareness about children playing near any rivers or lakes in the hot weather,’ he said.
‘Please can all parents, friends and family make their children aware of the dangers surrounding water.’
Reco Puttock was rushed to hospital after being pulled from Leadbeater Dam in Halifax
Declan Sawyer, 15, drowned at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln on Sunday
In Warwickshire, the 16-year-old girl’s body was recovered by specialist police teams at around 7.20pm on Monday.
Her father was ‘frantically’ seen searching the riverbank by onlookers, who said he entered the body of water in a bid to find his child.
Floral tributes were laid at the scene for the victim, named only as Lil.
Speaking at the scene, Chief Inspector Ben Hembry, North Warwickshire Area Commander, said: ‘We were called at around 6pm to reports of youths in the water.
‘One was in particular difficulty. When we arrived it was identified a female teenager had gone missing underwater.
‘A multi-agency response of police, ambulance and fire all attended as well as a range of support from the park to do an extensive search.
‘I believe she was a local girl and this is an area frequented by young people in hot weather.
‘We are desperate to get the message across for people to stay out of open bodies of water.’
When asked about youths jumping off the bridge, he added: ‘Across open water where there is the opportunity for young people to do this these practices do take place.
‘And I believe that is part of what took place here on Monday.’
A family member at the scene said: ‘We don’t know exactly what happened yet.
‘There was some people seen jumping off the bridge but she wasn’t.
‘There was a young boy her age who jumped in to try and save her at the time. He’s the unsung hero, please let the police just do their job as speculation doesn’t help.
‘She wasn’t able to swim so she was never going to jump off a bridge into the water.
‘All an officer told me is that ‘I know it’s of limited comfort but she didn’t suffer, it was instant’ so there has been an incident.’
In a separate incident, outside the UK, 15-year-old Abbie Carmody-Pepper vanished at Burrow Beach in Howth, Dublin, after entering the water with friends.
Her body was pulled out on Sunday evening following an extensive search operation.
Abbie’s friend Aoife has since organised a GoFundMe page to raise funds to support her family with funeral costs.
Abbie Carmody-Pepper, 15, vanished at Burrow Beach in a separate incident outside the UK in Howth, Dublin, with friends after entering the water
Separately, concern has been raised after a man went missing near a lake in South Wales.
Stephen Faulkner, 66, was last seen walking near the water at Glyncornel Lake in Tonypandy, South Wales as temperatures soared.
His family raised the alarm after he had not been seen since Sunday – and are appealing for help to find him.
Police said helicopters, drones and specialist CSI dogs have been carrying out searches at the beauty spot.
Mr Faulkner is described as having a stocky build with tattoos on both arms.
He was wearing blue jeans, a blue t-shirt with a black gilet and brown trainers at the time he went missing.
Experts have warned about the dangers of some swimming spots, which become popular during hot weather.
Lifeguard rescues more than doubled last year, according to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety & Education at Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), said: ‘We’re urging the public to choose lifeguarded locations wherever possible, where safety measures and supervision are in place.
‘If you are spending time near water with children, always supervise them closely, keep them within arm’s reach, and consider dressing them in brightly coloured swimwear to improve visibility.
‘Open water environments are very different from controlled swimming areas. There may be hidden hazards beneath the surface, strong currents, and colder temperatures that can seriously affect your ability to swim. It’s vital to respect your limits, avoid swimming alone, and talk to your family about water safety before you visit.
‘If you see someone in trouble, don’t be tempted to enter the water to rescue them. Instead, call 999, encourage them to float on their back, and throw something that floats to assist them. Taking simple precautions can help prevent tragedies and ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying the water during warmer weather.’
Elsewhere, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service warned people about the dangers of entering open water as the weather continues to warm up.
‘The weather is warming up and you might be tempted to cool off in water, but danger could be lurking under the surface,’ they said.
‘Even on warm days, the water can still be very cold and cold water shock is highly dangerous.
‘We experience an increase in call-outs to water-related incidents in the summer months. Please help us to keep you safe and avoid entering bodies of water.’
