Mother and son die in sea wall fall tragedy

Heartbreaking end to family outing after six-year-old falls into water

A mother and son died when a day out at a north-east beach turned into a double tragedy.

Julie Walker went into the water to try to rescue six-year-old Lucas after he fell into the sea during a family trip to the esplanade at Aberdeen.

Both were pulled out of the water but later died in hospital.

The young boy’s elder brother Samuel, 13, bravely went into the waves to try to help the duo.

He was praised by police and was still recovering in the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital last night.

A 25-year-old woman and 28-year-old man, who also went into the sea to try to help, were treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but later discharged.

Emergency services received numerous reports of people in difficulty in the water opposite the seafront Pizza Hut branch around 4.45pm on Saturday.

Police, coastguard and fire and ambulance crews all went to the scene.

Hundreds of people had been enjoying a beautiful sunny afternoon at the beach when the tragedy unfolded.

It is understood the Walker family, from the Northfield area of the city, had been playing on a stretch of the sea wall when Lucas fell into the sea.

His mother, brother and several other members of the public, including off-duty police officers, went in to try to save him.

Yesterday, police could be seen scouring the beach with metal detectors as part of their investigation.

Floral tributes have been laid memory of Ms Walker and Lucas.

Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson said: “This is a very tragic incident and our thoughts are with the Walker family at this sad and difficult time.

“While officers continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident, it is clear heroic attempts were made to save Julie and Lucas by both on and off duty police officers, emergency service personnel and members of the public, facing treacherous sea conditions and high winds during their rescue bid.

“Their brave efforts cannot overstated.” in be

Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson talks to the media after two people died at Aberdeen esplanade.

Julie Walker and her son Lucas died in the Aberdeen tragedy.