Calls to extend lifeguard services at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool have intensified following the deaths of two men. The men entered the water on Sunday afternoon to assist two children, according to Cleveland Police. The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) recovered the men from the sea, but they were pronounced dead shortly afterward.
Currently, Seaton Carew beach is patrolled by lifeguards daily only during the summer school holidays. Local residents, however, argue that this provision is insufficient and that lifeguard services are needed for a more extended period.
Seaton Carew Independent councillor Sue Little is among those advocating for a longer season. She has called for the lifeguard service to be operational from May until the end of September, encompassing a broader period outside the peak school holiday dates. Supporting this call, a petition has been launched urging for the extension of lifeguard provision beyond the school holidays. This petition has already garnered over 1,600 signatures from concerned residents.
Hartlepool Borough Council, responsible for beach safety, was recruiting for eight beach lifeguards and four beach lifeguard supervisors earlier this year. The planned coverage for these positions was from July 18 to September 1, reflecting the current seasonal approach. The council has been contacted for comment regarding the recent incident and the calls for extended services.