Keith Smith, 75, was on the seafront at Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, for the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust when the drama unfolded.

Two men entered the sea to try and help two children in difficulty this afternoon at Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, but sadly they died with their bodies brought from the water by the…

Both men were brought out of the water by the RNLI crew and were treated immediately.