Message of support from parents whose daughter was swept away by waves

Then on Wednesday five men died in the water at Camber Sands, East Sussex.

Andy said the families of those affected would struggle to come to terms with what’s happened.

He said: “Every time we hear of a drowning or near-drowning our hearts sink. It’s desperately sad for the families and we know its such a hard thing to try to comprehend.

“Our lives and Katie-Lou’s life has changed drastically since the accident. She requires 24/7 care.

“We are very lucky in that we still have our girl but are devastated that her future is not going to be as we hoped for her.”

After Katie-Lou’s accident liferings were installed at Eyemouth.

Her parents have said that if they had been in place at the time she may have been rescued earlier and not suffered brain damage.

Since her accident they said they had also discovered there was “very little legislation concerning risk assessments for public beaches”.

They also said there is no legal obligation to provide a minimum level of life-saving equipment.

The couple petitioned the Government to change the law to make it a legal obligation for public beach operators to conduct risk assessments. They also called upon the Government to make it a legal obligation for public beach operators to provide a minimum level of life-saving equipment regardless of risk outlined in the risk assessment.

Andy said: “I would urge people to take note of whether their local beach has adequate safety signage and equipment and, if not, to contact their local council about it.

“I think it’s even more important that people respect the sea’s potential dangers.”