Lifeguard success at tragic beach

Jordan died after being swept into the sea in August 2003

Lifeguards patrolling a Hartlepool beach where an eight-year-old was swept to his death have dealt with only two major rescues in the past 12 months.

A report by the Royal Lifesaving Society revealed the safety message at Seaton Carew was getting through.

Hartlepool Borough Council reintroduced the lifeguards last year following the death of Jordan Moon in August 2003.

But the society did recommend guards receive extra training on patrolling skills, and interaction with bathers.

Lifeguards were withdrawn in 2001 to save £40,000, and 5,000 residents subsequently campaigned for the service to be returned.

They were reintroduced last year to patrol beaches at Seaton Carew along with the Block Sands and Fish Sands on the Headland.

Jellyfish warnings

One of major rescues involved lifeguards swimming out to save two young boys in inflatables who were being swept out to sea in strong currents at Seaton Carew beach.

Mayor of Hartlepool Stuart Drummond said: "It is very important to me that lifeguards were brought back, unfortunately this was following a tragic accident when a young boy died and we will never know, if we had had them then, whether this could have been prevented.

"But we want tourists to come into Hartlepool, we want them to flock to our beaches and make them as safe as possible - I think the lifeguards are invaluable.

"They are a preventative service and the fact there were so few major incidents proves prevention is better than cure."

During a five-month period, the lifeguards dealt with 1,300 incidents ranging from jellyfish warnings to finding lost children.