Discussion
Fair play to him for going and and saving them - very courageous
But given t was West Wittering beach, I am staggered that a 25 year old man couldn't get in and out of what according to reports was no more than about 10 yards of water.
WW does have a current, but it isn't a big rip in my experience down there.
Truly a tragedy, I can't imaging the chap ever seriously considered his life was a risk, as there must of been a large number of people in the water.
Condolences to the family.
10 Pence Short said:
You'll have to forgive me because I'm not sure how your response relates to what I said?
Large bodies of water can remain extremely cold, despite warm air temperatures. The shock to a very warm body when entering extremely cold water can be debilitating- enough to stop you being able to keep yourself above the surface.
What at first seemed like a great invitation to cool down can in fact be an invitation to end up dead.
Sadly it happens up here in the Lakes more often than it should.
No forgiveness necessary sir; I thought you meant they were jumping in because they thought the water was warm - like at the seaside in summer Large bodies of water can remain extremely cold, despite warm air temperatures. The shock to a very warm body when entering extremely cold water can be debilitating- enough to stop you being able to keep yourself above the surface.
What at first seemed like a great invitation to cool down can in fact be an invitation to end up dead.
Sadly it happens up here in the Lakes more often than it should.
My misinterpretation.
Gargamel said:
Fair play to him for going and and saving them - very courageous
But given t was West Wittering beach, I am staggered that a 25 year old man couldn't get in and out of what according to reports was no more than about 10 yards of water.
WW does have a current, but it isn't a big rip in my experience down there.
Truly a tragedy, I can't imaging the chap ever seriously considered his life was a risk, as there must of been a large number of people in the water.
Condolences to the family.
It only takes a slight current to make even a reasonably strong swimmer end up swimming on the spot - which can cause panic, tiredness and heart failure. A young guy drowned off Southbourne a few years ago, a similar distance out whilst kitesurfing.But given t was West Wittering beach, I am staggered that a 25 year old man couldn't get in and out of what according to reports was no more than about 10 yards of water.
WW does have a current, but it isn't a big rip in my experience down there.
Truly a tragedy, I can't imaging the chap ever seriously considered his life was a risk, as there must of been a large number of people in the water.
Condolences to the family.
I caught in a current/rip - it is best to go with it and not to try and fight it.
As you say this is a true tragedy, the guy is hero and probably didn't consider any risks to himself.
Jasandjules said:
Willy Nilly said:
He might be a "hero", but he's also dead. The better option would have been to call for help.
Are you saying that if you saw two children drowning you would not jump in to help? Most people now have a phone to hand, so I might select the wimps option of a quick call to the emergency services. It's all very well being the big hero, but one of the first rules of rescuing is don't become a victim yourself.
The kids were on an inflatable and as long as they held on weren't going to sink.
Jasandjules said:
Are you saying that if you saw two children drowning you would not jump in to help?
As a strong swimmer, I would make a snap decision as to whether I could handle the conditions. If I thought I was putting my own life in danger, then no, I wouldn't.I have a responsibility to my own kids, not to get myself killed while they are still dependent on me. Plus I'm not a hero, just a normal bloke. Most people are braver at their keyboards than they are in reality.
I did once dive into a swimming pool fully clothed to help a kid in trouble, but that wasn't heroic, as I wasn't at risk. Ruined the contents of my wallet and car keyfob blipper though, so it was expensive in monetary terms.
I'd like to think I'd jump in and help if they were in imminent danger. Probably best to make the emergency services call first though! Hard to tell how you'd act if you weren't there though.
One of my strongest memories from when I was a little kid is of my dad jumping in a river to help a girl who had been swimming and was in trouble. I remember being terrified because I knew my dad hated the water and I thought he was going to drown.
One of my strongest memories from when I was a little kid is of my dad jumping in a river to help a girl who had been swimming and was in trouble. I remember being terrified because I knew my dad hated the water and I thought he was going to drown.
crankedup said:
Had a look for the life saving equipment but couldn't see any obvious life belts/buoys. Thought this was a mandatory requirement when public are allowed access to open inland waters?
I haven't been to WW for a couple of years so can't remember the exact location of life saving equipment - but if you aren't familiar with the geography of this beach you should know the water is miles from the "hard" land (promenade/car parks etc) so spotting them from the water's edge would be unlikely - and a damn long run to go and fetch.I promise you there is a hell of a tug to the water down there, too.
Very sad case indeed.
singlecoil said:
The worst media mis-use of the word 'hero' recently was the pilot who landed the plane on the river in New York. Sure, his skill saved the passengers but it also saved him. 'Hero', IMO, should be reserved for people who willingly put themselves at risk to help others.
The pilot was the last person out of the plane, after twice walking the length of the aircraft to make sure no one else was on board. That was willingly putting his own life at risk in an effort to help anyone who might still have been on board.TheHeretic said:
Apparently, and according to news reports over here, he was a Bulgarian fellow. Not sure if it is true or not, as news over here, especially local news can be 'pinch of salt' type stuff.
He's reported to have been "from" Sutton (A South London borough). Of course, that doesn't mean he isn't a Bulgarian national. You get a lot of Eastern Europeans in that part of Greater London.TheHeretic said:
It also said the children were Thai, and on holiday.
If the hero was Bulgarian trying to save two Thai children, then I suspect the average PHer will suddenly be a lot less interested. Hero status is reserved for good ol' British stock trying to save two sweet little blond kiddies.Its an odd story - is it possible the guy saw 2 kids in very minor "diffulcty" 5 yards from the shore and in 5ft deep water...waded out to get them and had a heart attack from cold water/poor health? Because thats the way it reads in all the reports i've read.
"he got the kids to saftey but drown yards from the shore"
"he got the kids to saftey but drown yards from the shore"
Tiggsy said:
Its an odd story - is it possible the guy saw 2 kids in very minor "diffulcty" 5 yards from the shore and in 5ft deep water...waded out to get them and had a heart attack from cold water/poor health? Because thats the way it reads in all the reports i've read.
"he got the kids to saftey but drown yards from the shore"
Whatever way you look at it, he risked his life for two strange children, and he paid with his life by saving them. He is a hero and should be known as such."he got the kids to saftey but drown yards from the shore"
TwigtheWonderkid said:
If the hero was Bulgarian trying to save two Thai children, then I suspect the average PHer will suddenly be a lot less interested. Hero status is reserved for good ol' British stock trying to save two sweet little blond kiddies.
I am not sure that is the case, but whatever. News tonight is saying they were swimming near the harbour entrance, which is a faster current than the areas I swim in.
Also saying he was 32 name released tomorrow.
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