Calls to extend lifeguard service after sea deaths
BBCThe death of two men who went into the sea to help two children has prompted calls for more lifeguard provision.
Cleveland Police were called to Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool at about 15:45 BST on Sunday. The force said the RNLI brought the men out of the water, but they were pronounced dead a short time later.
The beach is currently covered by lifeguards every day during the summer school holidays, but local residents said the service was needed for longer.
Hartlepool Borough Council has been contacted for a comment.
The local authority was recruiting for eight beach lifeguards and four beach lifeguard supervisors earlier this year, to cover the beach from 18 July to 1 September.
Seaton Carew Independent councillor Sue Little has called for the service to be put in place from May until the end of September.
A petition urging for the provision to be extended outside the school holidays has also received more than 1,600 signatures.
'Totally shocked'
Hartlepool, Redcar and Staithes Coastguard Rescue Teams attended the incident, as well as the RNLI, Cleveland Police and North East Ambulance Service.
Cleveland Police said the children were taken to hospital to be checked over and were confirmed to be safe.
Local resident David Allan said the deaths were "tragic".
"There hasn't been any lifeguards all year," he said. "None whatsoever.
"People go into the water and they just don't know what it's going to do."
Sandra Gleeson said it was a "big shock for everybody".
"Lifeguards should be on a weekend," she said. "This beach is full with families.
"You can't be 24/7 with your kids, but I think lifeguards, that's what they're qualified for.
"They should be down here more often."
Adrian Barron added: "They have lifeguards when the schools are on holiday, but apart from that, nothing.
"Everybody's just totally shocked, they can't believe it."
Cleveland Police said the men's deaths were not being treated as suspicious and a file would be prepared for the coroner.
