Two men drowned on Sunday after entering the water to help two children in distress at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool, local police confirmed. Cleveland Police received the emergency call at approximately 15:45 BST on 12 July 2026.
Lifeboat crews from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution recovered both men from the sea, but they were pronounced dead shortly after. The two children were taken to hospital and later confirmed safe. Police said the deaths are not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
Labour MP Jonathan Brash described the incident as a "heartbreaking tragedy", while Superintendent Glen Wand expressed condolences to the families. The incident comes as the UK endures its third heatwave of the year, with water-related deaths also reported this week in Derbyshire and Oldham.