Man saw partner die saving child

Ms Robinson collapsed after coming out of the water

A father has told how he watched his partner die as she tried to rescue their 12-year-old daughter from drowning while on holiday in Australia.

Kevin Lewis, of Ramsgate, Kent, told an inquest how he ran into the sea with Jacqueline Robinson to save Stephanie but they were sucked under by currents.

The three were rescued from the sea but the 37-year-old was pronounced dead on the Queensland beach in September 2003.

A verdict of accidental death by saltwater drowning was recorded.

When she was being brought out of the surf I saw her head under the water Kevin Lewis

Ms Robinson was pulled from the water along with Mr Lewis and their daughter by passers-by using a rope, but was already unconscious when she reached the sand.

Mr Lewis told the inquest he knew his partner was in trouble after they had gone into the sea to help their daughter.

He said: "She could not get to the beach, and she was tiring.

"I could hear her crying for help.

"When she was being brought out of the surf I saw her head under the water."

Ms Robinson had been trying to pull daughter Stephanie out of the sea

The 49-year-old said to begin with there seemed to be signs of life and Ms Robinson had coughed up water but she later died.

The family had been in Australia for the wedding of Mr Lewis' son.

They were on Rainbow Beach about 100 miles and two hours' drive north of Brisbane when the tragedy happened.

Mr Lewis, who used to own bars and nightclubs in Ramsgate, still lives in the town with Stephanie and 10-year-old Charlotte.

He had lived with Ms Robinson for 15 years.