Dad dies a hero while saving his kids’ lives after they got into trouble in the sea

Hero dad Jonathan Stevens tragically died trying to save his children in the sea this weekend. 

The hero dad-of-seven, who tragically died this weekend while trying to save his children from the riptide, has been named.

Jonathan Stevens was visiting Barmouth beach in North Wales with his family when his kids began to struggle in the water. 

His heartbroken partner, Laura Burford, has said that Mr Stevens died a hero ‘saving their babies’. 

A relative provided a statement to North Wales Live from Laura, which read: “I am absolutely devastated to say that I have lost the complete love of my life.

“All seven of his beautiful kids have lost their dad. He died saving his kids’ lives in the sea.

“There are no words to describe the pain. I will always be grateful to (him) for bringing our babies back.

“I love him, always have, and always will.”

A friend of the family, Mel Plowman, who has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the family, described Mr Stevens as a true hero. 

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “Police and the Coastguard were called at 1.58pm on Sunday to a report that a man had got into difficulty in the sea in Barmouth.

“The man was taken by air ambulance to Ysbyty Gwynedd, where he tragically died.”

A Coastguard spokesman said: “At 1.31pm HM Coastguard received a 999 call reporting people in the water off Barmouth and sent Barmouth coastguard rescue team, Barmouth RNLI lifeboat, and HM Coastguard’s fixed-wing aircraft.

“Barmouth harbour master and the Coastguard rescue helicopter and helimed also attended. A male casualty was recovered from the water and transferred to Ysbyty Gwynedd in a serious condition.”

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 1.39pm to reports of persons caught in a rip tide at Barmouth beach.

“We sent two rapid response cars and two emergency ambulances to the scene where crews were also supported by a Wales Air Ambulance and a search and rescue helicopter.

“Three patients were taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd.”

HM Coastguard has urged all coastal visitors to take care. They added: “learn how to keep you and your family safe at www.coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk and for an emergency at the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help the family at this incredibly difficult time.