North East family of teenager who died in water urging people to be safe
14 year-old Matthew Sherrington died in 2021 in Hartlepool
People in the North East and Teesside are being urged to think twice before going into the water as another heatwave is expected this weekend.
The message comes from the family of 14 year-old Matthew, also known as Matty, Sherrington from Hartlepool who died after playing in the sea near Steetley Pier in Hartlepool in 2021, after being caught up in a rip current.
His family have been raising awareness of water safety to prevent future deaths.
Matthew's cousin, Jess Coles, from Blackhall Colliery in County Durham, said: "Obviously you don't realise at that age the dangers of water, not just the sea, any open waters and you're very naive as a child aren't you?
"It's not just children either it's adults as well. I genuinely don't believe that they know the dangers and stuff that's why we push so much for water safety to be heard and be spoken about, so people can understand the dangers of it.
"My heart sinks every time I hear of someone that's been stuck in the water, someone's died; if it's a child or an adult it's heartbreaking because it just brings back memories of the day that it happened to our Matty and that full week we searched for him.
"Always swim on a lifeguarded beach. The likes of Steetley Pier and stuff, the waters are really dangerous there. There's no lifeguards so you'd be waiting forever for help to come there, if you're ever stuck in a rip current or a rip tide, always swim parallel and try and not to panic, lie on your back, raise your arm if you can but the worse thing you can do is panic.
"I've always been wary of the sea and stuff like that. I am and have always been with my children but obviously since that happened with our Matty, it's massively terrified myself, my children and our Matty's mum and dad, their kids, our Matty's siblings.
"It's massively terrified the whole family to be fair. We hate the sea. We hate anything to do with water. If the kids go to the beach now, they're allowed up to their ankles and only to their knees if there's an adult stood with them.
"Think twice about going into the water. Obviously lifeguarded beaches, yeah you've got lifeguards there but it's not guaranteed that you're going to be seen, spotted or heard if you're ever in danger. Just always think twice."
RNLI issuing safety advice
The charity’s statistics show during recent summers there has been a rise in the number of children’s lives their lifeguards have saved, so are issuing an urgent plea to families to follow essential safety advice to keep them and their loved ones safe.
During the summer months of 2023 across the country, RNLI lifeguards saved the lives of 20 children aged 7-14 years-old, this figure rose to 38 lives in 2024.
RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling over 200 beaches from this weekend (Saturday 12th July), this will increase to 249 when we reach peak summer season during the school holidays. Lifeguards are trained in casualty care and water rescue and will be on hand to offer water safety advice to the public and provide information on sea conditions that day.
Peter Dawes, RNLI General Manager, said:
"We are expecting people to head to the coast during the heatwave, it is a great way to have fun, relax and cool off in these high temperatures, choosing a lifeguarded beach will mean our lifeguards can ensure you enjoy a safe visit.
"Please head to a lifeguarded beach, swim between flags and if you find yourself in trouble, Float to Live, knowing this technique and encouraging your family to practice, could save your life."
The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this summer to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by following beach safety advice:
- Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
- Check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage to understand local risks.
- Keep a close eye on your family – on the beach and in the water – don’t allow your family to swim alone.
- If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and float.
- In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
To find out more about water safety visit the RNLI website.