Father drowns trying to save daughter, 10, from the sea
A MOTHER has told how her husband died a hero while trying to rescue their daughter from rough seas. Company director Simon Pearson, 47, had gone swimming in shallow water with tenyear-old Lily at an Italian beach as winds lashed the shore.
The father and daughter were dragged out by strong currents and Mr Pearson held on to his little girl, trying desperately to keep her afloat. A local beach club worker, Martino Maggi, 49, saw the drama and waded in to help, managing to drag Lily back to shore.
He then bravely went back to the water to help Lily’s father. But as Mr Pearson lost consciousness, Mr Maggi was also soon struggling in the waves.
Coastguards sent a speedboat and helicopter to rescue the two men, but they died despite attempts to revive them on the beach near Ostuni in Puglia.
Last night both Mr Pearson and Mr Maggi were hailed heroes for their courage.
Mr Pearson lived in a gated detached home in Montgomery, Mid Wales, with his wife Emma, 43, daughter Lily, and their son Montgomery, the holiday. six, who was also on Speaking from Italy, Mrs Pearson said her husband died a hero, adding: ‘My husband worked hard all his life to provide for his family and he has now given his life to save our daughter … My husband did everything to protect her. ‘They were swimming in the shallows at the beach but the tide pulled them into deeper water. Someone raised the alarm. I was not close enough to reach them. Simon held on to my daughter’s hand to keep her afloat, but he became unconscious.’
She told the Times Mr Maggi had drowned and his body was washed to the shore, adding: ‘He died trying to help our family. ‘Emergency services attempted to save Simon but it was too late. I have two young children who have lost their dad. We are all traumatised.’
An Italian coastguard official described the conditions as ‘high waves whipped up by 15-knot winds’.
He added: ‘We got them to the beach, where an ambulance was waiting, but it was too late. Both men died. Mr Maggi is a real hero. He tried to save both daughter and father and ended up giving his own life.’ Neighbours said Mr Pearson, who died a month short of his 17th wedding anniversary, had an Italian mother and was fluent in the language. He was educated at the independent Bedstone College in Shropshire.
His widow was being comforted by her father, who had flown to Italy to join the family holiday the day before the tragedy.
Mrs Pearson’s sister Sally Johnson, 45, said: ‘It was just a terrible accident … We are all distraught.’
Mr Pearson’s mother- in- law, Marian McGregor, said: ‘He was a great guy and a great dad and we shall all miss him … They have been going to this beach for years and not had any problems.’
The businessman was managing director of a composite building material and design firm based at Bishop’s Castle, in Shropshire.
‘Tide pulled them into deeper water’