Hero dad dies rescuing his 3 children in rip tide
A FATHER died rescuing three of his children after they got into difficulty in the sea on a family day trip.
Plasterer Jonathan “Joff” Stevens, 36, was with the youngsters at Barmouth beach in north Wales when they began to struggle in a rip tide.
Father-of-seven Jonathan’s heartbroken partner Laura Burford said he had died a hero “saving their babies”.
Two of the children – aged around 10 and 12 – were taken to hospital but with their mother miles away in Telford, Shropshire, and their father taken away by helicopter Laura sent a desperate message on Facebook.
Drowning
She asked if anyone was in the Barmouth area, adding: “My kids were drowning in the sea and their dad has got them out but is now having CPR and my kids are on their own.”
Yesterday she said: “I am absolutely devastated to say that I have lost the complete love of my life.”
Tragedy struck at around 1.30pm on Sunday when Jonathan tried to drag the children to safety.
A major rescue operation was launched, with a lifeboat and Coastguard search and rescue helicopter dispatched.
Jonathan was pulled from the water and attempts made to resuscitate him on the beach before being flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd hospital in Bangor by air ambulance. But medics were unable to save him.
Laura, 34, said: “All seven of his beautiful kids have lost their dad. He died saving his kids’ lives in the sea. There are no words to describe the pain. I will always be grateful to him for bringing our babies back. I love him, always have, and always will.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family by friend Mel Plowman who also described Jonathan as a true hero “who sadly lost his life whilst saving his children.
“I wanted to set up this fund page to help Laura with any costs she may need along the way, and also a little keep gift for the children as a memory of their hero. We’re all thinking of you at this very sad time.”
North Wales Police said police and the Coastguard were called to a report that a man had got into difficulty. It added: “He was taken by air ambulance to Ysbyty Gwynedd, where he tragically died.”
The Coastguard said it received a 999 call reporting people in the water off Barmouth. It added: “A male casualty was recovered from the water and transferred to Ysbyty Gwynedd in a serious condition.”