Three UK parents drown in Algarve tragedy

Three British parents and a German man have drowned when trying to rescue a group of children who got into trouble off Portugal's Algarve.Two of the dead are the mother and father of two of the children who got into difficulties on the Praia do Tonel beach in Sagres, on the southwest coast.Neighbours named the couple as Bob and Deb Fry from Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, and their children George, nine and Rosie, 11.The mother of two of the other children involved also died. Their father is reportedly out of danger in hospital alongside two more British nationals who were trying to rescue the youngsters.The German man rescued his child but suffered a heart attack and died on the beach, according to reports.The group is believed to have been staying at a golf resort at Parque da Floresta, run by The Vigia Group.The commander of the local maritime police, Pedro Pereira, revealed that the beach was closed for the winter and signs warned bathers that there were no lifeguards on duty.He said: "Yesterday afternoon at 16:50 local time, three British and one German family are at the Tonel beach in Sagres, on a sunny and clear-sky day, when some of the children ran to the water near by a rock in the middle of the beach."Suddenly they called for help and their families' adults with some other people nearby ran to rescue them from the sea. There are some currents and some deep waters that caused them to get into distress."They asked for help and all the families that are with them, they ran to help them, also some people that were close by. Some parents did not find a way to rescue their sons and also to rescue themselves."He added: "The final outcome of this tragic situation is four parents dead."Because summer season is concluded by September 3, the Tonel beach is closed and there is no life-saving personnel. Reinforcing this, at the entry to the beach there is a sign to warn of this fact."As the local commander for this rescue operation, as soon as the distress was known, the necessary staff have been directed to proceed to the beach, namely the medical emergency, lifesaving boat, firefighting ambulance, the maritime police, the search and rescue air force marine helicopter, as well as local civil protection resources."For the families in mourning I wish to stress my sorrow and compassion. Life continues and despite difficult times to come, good luck to all their seven children that are well."A Foreign Office spokeswoman said last night that the British ambassador in Portugal has been in touch with the civil governor, and the British consul in Portimao is travelling to the area.© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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ITN | October 23, 2007

Tags:. .winter. .rescued. .foreign. .coast. .golf