TEENAGERS have been hailed as “heroes” after risking their lives to help swimmers in need during the tragedy at Bournemouth beach.

A huge emergency response saw the beach cordoned off and two helicopters land on the sand as rescuers rushed to help people involved.

A 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy died following the incident, which saw ten people pulled from the water on Wednesday, May 31.

Kaiden Andre, 15, was swimming in the water off Bournemouth Pier with a group of friends when he heard the cries of a man yelling for help.

The youngster was visiting Bournemouth on a day out from his home in Basingstoke – with it being the first time his parents had allowed him on such a trip.

 

His mother, Jody, told the Echo: “It was my first time letting Kaiden go with his friends because we travel to Branksome every summer. I was a bit dubious about letting him go at first because it’s very busy, but he’s mature so I trusted he would be fine.”

Kaiden was in the water with his friend Iona and two others when they heard the screams of a young boy. One of the friends took him out of the water when the boy told the group that more people were in trouble.

Bournemouth Echo: Emergency services on Bournemouth beach during major incident.

Fuelled by adrenaline, three of the teens – including Iona and Kaiden – quickly swam towards the man, who was with a woman, near the pier and began trying to drag him closer to shore.

Read more: Seized pleasure boat returned to pier twice during major beach incident

“The man was in such a panic,” Jody said.

The trio were able to keep the man’s head above water until Kaiden began suffering from cramp. He and the friend then swam to shore to rally help from the emergency services – while Iona bravely held the man afloat.

A strong swimmer, Iona stayed with the man for several minutes and was able to guide him towards the shore where they were met by emergency crews who had been alerted by Kaiden. Once he was safe, Iona then helped the woman return to shore.

Bournemouth Echo: The beach was cordoned off while emergency services dealt with the incident.

The man was apparently taken off by paramedics for further treatment.

“Kaiden said to me he has never known the sea to be that choppy. There was no jumping off the pier, no speeding boats, they just saw this young guy in trouble and went to help.”

Read more: GP who tried to save girl praises lifeguards

Jody said once on the beach, her son saw a boy receiving CPR. This, she said, “shook him up” and that the enormity of the situation then “hit home”.

Once he was checked by paramedics, Kaiden was deemed well enough to travel home.

Jody said: “When I saw my child get off the train back home, knowing that someone had lost their child, I cannot tell you how that felt.

“A police officer rang yesterday (Friday) and asked him all sorts of questions. They said he should class himself as a hero, which he doesn’t.

“His instinct was just to help but it really did scare him. We can’t believe the bravery that he showed.”

Jody added: “My thoughts are truly with the families who lost their children. Such a horrendous day.”