Dean showed such courage in rescue

A County Durham man who risked his life to save two schoolboys on stormlashed Roker Pier has received an Echo award for bravery.

He was presented with the Tomlinson Award at the Echo’s annual awards event at Sunderland’s Crowtree Leisure Centre.

Dean Beattie, 24, of Yarmouth Close, Seaham, dodged waves “the size of double-decker buses” to save Richard Hodson and Jason Bainbridge.

The boys were dodging waves and were hit by a huge wall of water and smashed against railings. The teenagers were left soaked and covered in blood from facial wounds and were unable to move. Dean dragged both boys to safety and used his own clothes to keep them warm.

The Tomlinson Award is given to a person who has shown outstanding physical bravery.