Swimmer dies off Westcliff beach

10:18am Sunday 19th August 2012 in Local News

A MAN has died after getting into difficulties while swimming off Westcliff beach yesterday.

The 41-year-old, from Southend, was spotted by other members of the public at about 11.45am.

He was unconscious by the time other swimmers and the coastguard managed to drag him ashore.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was later pronounced dead at Southend Hospital .

Police do not believe the death was suspicious.

Comments (24)

12:53pm Sun 19 Aug 12

Alice in Her Own Land :P says...

So sad ... probably just wanted to cool down ... may he rest in peace x
So sad ... probably just wanted to cool down ... may he rest in peace x Alice in Her Own Land :P

1:01pm Sun 19 Aug 12

BIRLIS says...

Very sad. Is it just me, or have there been a lot of reports of people getting into trouble in the sea off Southend this summer?
Very sad. Is it just me, or have there been a lot of reports of people getting into trouble in the sea off Southend this summer? BIRLIS

1:19pm Sun 19 Aug 12

heartbeat says...

Terribly sad. There do seem to have been a lot of reports of people getting into trouble recently. Maybe more prominent warning signs and a couple of lifeguards would help raise awareness, as in many other resorts.

Whatever, my condolences to this poor man's friends and family. RIP.
Terribly sad. There do seem to have been a lot of reports of people getting into trouble recently. Maybe more prominent warning signs and a couple of lifeguards would help raise awareness, as in many other resorts. Whatever, my condolences to this poor man's friends and family. RIP. heartbeat

6:29pm Sun 19 Aug 12

ShrimperSS0 says...

If there aren't already lifeguards on the busy beaches then maybe it should be a priority decision that needs making as there have been lots of reports this summer. Swimming pools have them, why not on the beach? My condolences to the family.
If there aren't already lifeguards on the busy beaches then maybe it should be a priority decision that needs making as there have been lots of reports this summer. Swimming pools have them, why not on the beach? My condolences to the family. ShrimperSS0

8:47pm Sun 19 Aug 12

Max Impact says...

It would be nice to have lifeguards along the seafront but when you think there are over seven miles of foreshore and you would need at least two guards per station, this is taking in to account that if a rescue is going on with only one guard at each station there would be a “hole” in the operation, having two guards would keep at least one pair of eyes on the sea all the time.

The cost of keeping them employed over the summer would be high, you also need to take into account the fist aid abilities of those you are employing and what kind of structure would they operate from. A seat on a small tower of something like you see on Baywatch a shed like building raised above the beach, the nimbys would have something to say about building on the beach!

The RNLI have lifeguards patrolling more than 180 beaches around the UK and the Channel Islands, sadly Southend is not on the list.
It would be nice to have lifeguards along the seafront but when you think there are over seven miles of foreshore and you would need at least two guards per station, this is taking in to account that if a rescue is going on with only one guard at each station there would be a “hole” in the operation, having two guards would keep at least one pair of eyes on the sea all the time. The cost of keeping them employed over the summer would be high, you also need to take into account the fist aid abilities of those you are employing and what kind of structure would they operate from. A seat on a small tower of something like you see on Baywatch a shed like building raised above the beach, the nimbys would have something to say about building on the beach! The RNLI have lifeguards patrolling more than 180 beaches around the UK and the Channel Islands, sadly Southend is not on the list. Max Impact

9:49pm Sun 19 Aug 12

Window_Cleaner says...

So terribly sad... We miss you Pete... much love and rest in peace.Our thoughts and condolences to your family...xxx
So terribly sad... We miss you Pete... much love and rest in peace.Our thoughts and condolences to your family...xxx Window_Cleaner

9:50pm Sun 19 Aug 12

emma1607 says...

r.i.p peter, such a troubled yet kind soul, i can only hope that your at peace and r with r brother.x
r.i.p peter, such a troubled yet kind soul, i can only hope that your at peace and r with r brother.x emma1607

11:12pm Sun 19 Aug 12

dare283cuz says...

how do you know him emma ,swimming on his own don't sound right
R.I P peter ,,to young so sad x
how do you know him emma ,swimming on his own don't sound right R.I P peter ,,to young so sad x dare283cuz

6:02am Mon 20 Aug 12

EssexBoy1968 says...

Such a tragedy, & very disturbing for those involved in the rescue/resuscitation attempt. From what the previous 2 posters (Emma1607 & Dare283Cuz) say, this may not just be a simple accident, but I sincerely hope that is not the case.
My condolences to this poor man's family & friends, & my thoughts are with those who tried to save him.
Such a tragedy, & very disturbing for those involved in the rescue/resuscitation attempt. From what the previous 2 posters (Emma1607 & Dare283Cuz) say, this may not just be a simple accident, but I sincerely hope that is not the case. My condolences to this poor man's family & friends, & my thoughts are with those who tried to save him. EssexBoy1968

9:24am Mon 20 Aug 12

asbo uncut says...

it seems southend is populated by a load of health and safety nutters. go to the swimming pool if you want lifeguards.
it seems southend is populated by a load of health and safety nutters. go to the swimming pool if you want lifeguards. asbo uncut

12:03pm Mon 20 Aug 12

joannel says...

This is very sad. I was there that morning we had just sat down on the beach and this man just appeared in the water in front of me he seemed in good spirits and shouted out to me " Come on , come and have a swim " i laughed and said maybe later, and with that he fell back in the water and started swimming on hes back. Myself and my daughter then proceeded to walk over the road and buy some drinks. Within 5 mins we returned to find my friend who i was with, at the waters edge attending to the poor man with some other members of the public...My heart felt sympathy goes out to hes family and friends.......can i also just comment that this article does state that the coast guard helped to bring the man to shore , unfortunately this was not the case. In fact the coastguard did not arrive until after the ambulance and police had arrived at the scene. There does definately appear to be an issue regarding the amount of coastguarding along this beach and i would have expected the coast guard to have got there before any of the other emergency services !!
This is very sad. I was there that morning we had just sat down on the beach and this man just appeared in the water in front of me he seemed in good spirits and shouted out to me " Come on , come and have a swim " i laughed and said maybe later, and with that he fell back in the water and started swimming on hes back. Myself and my daughter then proceeded to walk over the road and buy some drinks. Within 5 mins we returned to find my friend who i was with, at the waters edge attending to the poor man with some other members of the public...My heart felt sympathy goes out to hes family and friends.......can i also just comment that this article does state that the coast guard helped to bring the man to shore , unfortunately this was not the case. In fact the coastguard did not arrive until after the ambulance and police had arrived at the scene. There does definately appear to be an issue regarding the amount of coastguarding along this beach and i would have expected the coast guard to have got there before any of the other emergency services !! joannel

2:32pm Mon 20 Aug 12

VictoriaLS says...

RIP xxx
RIP xxx VictoriaLS

2:38pm Mon 20 Aug 12

morgee says...

Essex Boy/Dare/Emma - keep your ill-informed comments to yourself.
Essex Boy/Dare/Emma - keep your ill-informed comments to yourself. morgee

3:53pm Mon 20 Aug 12

EssexBoy1968 says...

"morgee says...

Essex Boy/Dare/Emma - keep your ill-informed comments to yourself."

Perhaps you would like to re-read my post & then re-think your own comment. The 2 comments immediately before mine appeared, as I said, to point towards knowledge of the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
As I have already said I send my condolences to this poor man's family & friends.
I also commented, from personal experience, how disturbing it can be for those involved in rescue/resuscitation attempts. As I say that comment was from personal experience (more than once unfortuantely), so cannot be deemed "ill-informed".
"morgee says... Essex Boy/Dare/Emma - keep your ill-informed comments to yourself." Perhaps you would like to re-read my post & then re-think your own comment. The 2 comments immediately before mine appeared, as I said, to point towards knowledge of the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. As I have already said I send my condolences to this poor man's family & friends. I also commented, from personal experience, how disturbing it can be for those involved in rescue/resuscitation attempts. As I say that comment was from personal experience (more than once unfortuantely), so cannot be deemed "ill-informed". EssexBoy1968

4:58pm Mon 20 Aug 12

morgee says...

Essex Boy if you speak from "personal experience" as you say you will surely realise giving credence to "ill informed" comments adds to the distress of this young man's family. But of course, Essex boy, we are not talking about you and your historical events. As you don't know the facts and obviously nor did (Emma/Dare) say nothing. Reminds me of "rubber neckers" at accidents.
Essex Boy if you speak from "personal experience" as you say you will surely realise giving credence to "ill informed" comments adds to the distress of this young man's family. But of course, Essex boy, we are not talking about you and your historical events. As you don't know the facts and obviously nor did (Emma/Dare) say nothing. Reminds me of "rubber neckers" at accidents. morgee

8:56pm Mon 20 Aug 12

Seasider90 says...

Stop arguing FFS- the fella has died. Whatever the circumstances its none of our business - the family are grieving having suffered a huge loss. RIP to the fella.
Stop arguing FFS- the fella has died. Whatever the circumstances its none of our business - the family are grieving having suffered a huge loss. RIP to the fella. Seasider90

11:30pm Mon 20 Aug 12

dare283cuz says...

he is my family my cousin,and i ask my self this question for hours
its a very sad time for my family
he is my family my cousin,and i ask my self this question for hours its a very sad time for my family dare283cuz

12:16am Tue 21 Aug 12

lambie67 says...

RIP Pete x u will be remembered u always had time to say hello to me and my boy and always chatted and looked out for him xx U will missed by those who knew you with fondest memories even through ur bad times xxx
RIP Pete x u will be remembered u always had time to say hello to me and my boy and always chatted and looked out for him xx U will missed by those who knew you with fondest memories even through ur bad times xxx lambie67

5:09am Tue 21 Aug 12

morgee says...

a lovely man, lots of good memories through the years, Godbless Peter xx
a lovely man, lots of good memories through the years, Godbless Peter xx morgee

10:24am Tue 21 Aug 12

Iainoc says...

Peter you will be missed by many. Love you very much. IOC
X
Peter you will be missed by many. Love you very much. IOC X Iainoc

6:57pm Tue 21 Aug 12

robbierix says...

Great memories from growing up and you were involved in most of them,Pete.
Best footballer i ever played with as a kid,just sorry i never saw you as much as we got older,heartfelt condolences to all your family X
Great memories from growing up and you were involved in most of them,Pete. Best footballer i ever played with as a kid,just sorry i never saw you as much as we got older,heartfelt condolences to all your family X robbierix

9:11pm Tue 21 Aug 12

TrinaP says...

gd nite god bless my darling Pete. Miss you loads,now ur with dad n keith may u rest with angels,love you always your cousin petrinia martin n david xxxxxxxxx people who did not know u should hold their unwanted comments
gd nite god bless my darling Pete. Miss you loads,now ur with dad n keith may u rest with angels,love you always your cousin petrinia martin n david xxxxxxxxx people who did not know u should hold their unwanted comments TrinaP

11:33am Mon 27 Aug 12

safe-coast says...

the coastguards in this country are all volunteers and respond from home or work on a pager system, as do the RNLI. so to expect them to respond an quickly as the police or ambulance service is unfair. the guys at southend coastguard cover 164 miles of coastline, and are one of the busiest in the country! with only one emergency vehicle.
the coastguards in this country are all volunteers and respond from home or work on a pager system, as do the RNLI. so to expect them to respond an quickly as the police or ambulance service is unfair. the guys at southend coastguard cover 164 miles of coastline, and are one of the busiest in the country! with only one emergency vehicle. safe-coast

11:34am Mon 27 Aug 12

safe-coast says...

the coastguards in this country are all volunteers and respond from home or work on a pager system, as do the RNLI. so to expect them to respond as quickly as the police or ambulance service is unfair. the guys at southend coastguard cover 164 miles of coastline, and are one of the busiest in the country! with only one emergency vehicle.
the coastguards in this country are all volunteers and respond from home or work on a pager system, as do the RNLI. so to expect them to respond as quickly as the police or ambulance service is unfair. the guys at southend coastguard cover 164 miles of coastline, and are one of the busiest in the country! with only one emergency vehicle. safe-coast

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