Another incident at Rockley Park beach as family saved

Johnathan Bloomfield, 28, from North London was holidaying at Haven Rockley Park, Poole, in August and has called for improved safety measures after an incident on the same section of beach where 18-year-old Callum Baker-Osborne drowned in July.

He said: “I went to Rockley with my wife and three boys. We were having a great time and decided to go into the sea at around 4pm in the afternoon. My two older sons and I were playing in the sea and, ironically, I was teaching them how to float in case they ever got in any danger.

Johnathan Bloomfield with his sons Reggie and Johnnie

“I was waist deep, my sons were above shoulder depth and we could all touch the seabed. All of a sudden, my seven-year-old son Reggie got pulled by a rip tide over by a man-made rock mesh. Initially I didn’t think anything of it and walked over to grab him.

“Next thing I knew the tide pulled me as well and we were pushed deeper into a boat lane. It was so quick.”

As Johnathan tried to swim over to his son, his eight-year-old Johnnie was also pulled by the tide and the three were left calling for help.

Self-employed driver Johnathan added: “Within the space of a couple of seconds I had both my boys and was trying to keep them afloat. I was doing everything I could to stop them from drowning.

“I tried to stay calm but my boys were panicking, climbing on me and I was trying to hold them up as best I could but the tide pushed us too deep.

“We were desperately in danger and I knew it. Then, by the blessing of God, a boat came into view just as I was hanging on for dear life. I don’t know how I found the strength but I helped push the boys into the boat and I held onto the side as the driver took us to shore.”

Johnathan said that in the aftermath of the incident, a man told him what happened to Callum Baker-Osborne the month before and told the family that they were lucky.

• Read more: Family of Callum Baker-Osborne pay heartfelt tribute

Johnathan added: “I couldn’t believe it. How can that happen a month before and no measures have come in? We’re from North London, how were we supposed to know the dangers when there are no signs or lifeguards?”

The father of three says that the council and Haven authorities referred him to one another regarding whose responsibility the implementation of safety measures and signage is.

• Read more: Rockley Park officials respond to safety concerns

A BCP Council spokesperson commented: “We are aware of an incident happening at this location and refer any complaint to the leaseholder – Haven Holidays. As with all water safety issues, the council continually discusses these with partners and agrees actions based around risk in areas for which it is responsible.”

A spokesperson from Haven, who operate Rockley Park, said: “We are aware of a guest getting into difficulties in the sea close to the park. The guest chose to move from the shore into open water with his two children, neither of whom can swim nor were wearing buoyancy aids, as he wanted to teach them how to float.

“This incident was reported to us by Rockley Watersports who assisted the gentleman and his children when they found themselves in difficulty. Emergency services did not have to be called nor did the RNLI have to attend.

“When the park was made aware of what had happened, our team members attended the guest's accommodation to check his and his family's welfare. No issues were raised at that point. The following day, the guest attended our reception to request a full refund of their holiday based on what happened. This request was turned down.

“We would appeal to everyone accessing open water to learn how to stay safe, with advice and resources available on the RNLI website and through their Respect the Water initiative. Instructional videos are also available on their website about teaching children how to float, a skill which should be taught in a controlled swimming pool environment.”

Johnathan, however, insisted that they could all touch the seabed with their feet before being taken by the tide, adding: “I would never be so irresponsible and take my sons far out when they can't even swim.

“I want something done about that place. I’m a strong-minded person but this has really impacted me. I struggle to sleep as it constantly runs through my head, what would I have done if that boat hadn’t arrived? I feel most sorry for my boys who don’t want to go to the beach anymore and are having night terrors.

“It really plays on my head to think what Callum’s mum went through, I just can’t imagine. I’m so sorry for her.

• Read more: Grieving mother raises 'dangerous' beach safety concerns

“I had to speak out and raise awareness as nobody has done anything. I feel like I have duty and would deeply regret it if something else happens there.”