While Trying To Save His Two Children From Drowning This Loving Dad Lost His Life

In a tragic incident, a father lost his life while trying to save his two children who got into trouble with the sea.

Jonathan Stevens was 36 years old and had heard two of his children crying for help after they went paddle-boarding during a family day out in Barmouth, Wales.

A witness at the scene said that the father had shouted, "They're my kids, I've got to do something" after which, he waded into the sea.

Laura Burford

A soon as he realised he was in trouble too, he started waving his arm and shouting for help. Off-duty coastguard officer Alexander Hill was present at the beach with his father and son when he noticed what was happening.

He told an inquest in Caernarfon he could see the children around 100ft out to sea and that they were struggling. As he called for help from the authorities, he witnessed Jonathan heading to the water.

He said: "I saw a man run full sprint past me and into the sea but he kept drifting away from the kids and then disappeared."

Mr Hill went into the water and got to the daughter. Another warden, Marcus Hewlett got to the son. He said, "When I reached him he said ¡°thank you but you need to find my dad¡±."

"I brought him back to the shore and went back in towards where he saw the young boy had been looking and I saw someone floating in the distance. I approached him and picked him up but there was no response. I can¡¯t say how far out I was but I know it felt like it took ages to get back to the beach."

He added, "I tried to get him back as fast as I could but it was a struggle because I was trying to keep his head above the water."

Mr Stevens was then airlifted to a hospital but was pronounced dead soon after he arrived.

Daily Post Wales

Acting Senior Coroner Katie Sutherland said: "In the attempt to save the children he became submerged in water, was brought to shore but sadly pronounced deceased at A&E. On the basis that he entered sea to rescue his children and then he got into difficulty, his death is a result of misadventure, a deliberate act that unintentionally went wrong. It is a truly tragic case, he lost his own life trying to save his own children. It really shows the dangers of sea and our coastline, even when conditions appear mild they may not be."

Wales Online

"I would like to echo the thanks to the witnesses and those who risked their lives that day to try to save his life," Mr Stevens¡¯ partner, Laura Burford said.

His parents, Faith and Raymond Stevens, said, ¡°He was a proud father and a devoted son, brother and friend."