Tributes paid to drowned Britons

Robert Fry died trying to save his children

Tributes have been paid to three people who drowned off the coast of Portugal while trying to save their children.

Robert and Deborah Fry and Barbara Jean Dinsmore from Wootton Bassett, in Wiltshire, died on Monday.

The three Britons and a German were killed while trying to save their children from strong currents off Praia do Tonel beach near Sagres.

Neighbours described the Frys as "two of the friendliest people" in their close-knit community.

The children were washed ashore with minor injuries but two of them lost both their parents, while another two lost one parent, officials said.

The German man, who has not been named, is understood to have been the father of a German girl who survived.

'Perfect neighbours'

Three other UK adults are in hospital following the incident.

In a joint statement issued through the Foreign Office, the families of the three victims said: "We are deeply shocked by the events of yesterday [Monday] and need time to come to terms with the loss of three of our loved ones.

"Our priority now is to provide support to the bereaved children involved and ask that the media respect our privacy and that of our family and friends at this very difficult time."

The Frys' next-door neighbour, Fiona Shaw, had been looking after their pets while they were on holiday.

Mrs Shaw said they had two children called George and Rosie and had lived in the area for five years.

She said: "Bob and Deb were just a hard-working couple who did the best for their children.

"They were great. Bob was just a big smile, always friendly and willing to have a chat. It would be fair to say they were the perfect neighbours."

Mrs Fry worked at the Nationwide building society in Swindon as a secretary.

A spokesman for the company said: "She was supportive, helpful and nothing was ever too much trouble. She will be missed by all who knew her and worked with her."

Counselling

An aunt was reported to be travelling to be with the two orphaned children, while the father of the third British child was in hospital.

The children were among a group of about six youngsters, all of whom are now receiving counselling.

Emergency services said a number of families had been swimming at Praia do Tonel when some of the children got into difficulties near a large rock in the bay at about 1700 local time (1700 BST) on Monday.

Commander Pedro Pereira, of the Maritime Authority in nearby Lagos, told BBC News 24: "The waters around the rock where they go to swim... it's relatively calm but they have very strong winds, very strong currents."

There is a current and some deep waters that caused them to get in distress Commander Pedro Pereira Maritime Authority

The beach faces the Atlantic and is popular with surfers owing to its reputation for strong waves.

There were no lifeguards on duty, as the official summer bathing season ended several weeks ago on the coast.

Several lifeboats, a helicopter and other emergency services were scrambled as soon as the alarm was raised.

One of those who died was picked up by a lifeboat and the other three were washed ashore by waves.

But local emergency services were unable to revive any of them.

The British ambassador had contacted the civil governor, and the British consul in Portimao was travelling to the area, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

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