Letter: Laws needed to police beaches and the cruel sea

Sir: In the wake of the Lyme Regis canoe tragedy, tighter controls on such incidents are vital. Some years ago, while on holiday in my home town, Skegness, my family and I were on the beach. It was an August summer morning, the tide was on the ebb and there was a stiffish offshore breeze. I noticed two children floating on air beds just on the shore line. Realising their danger, I went over to warn them and to tell them to leave the water at once.

A furious man came over and demanded to know what I was doing 'interfering' with his children. I told him that, with my knowledge of the beach, the tide and the weather conditions, his children were at risk. Instead of thanks, my 'reward' was a mouthful of violent abuse. I tried to impress the danger upon him, but his ignorance and 'deafness' were profound in his threats to my person. He turned to his children and told them to go back into the water.

Dejected, and weeping in frustration, I returned to my family. Passing another group, a soft voice muttered: 'Well done, at least you tried.' That the children were not harmed then was some small thanks, I suppose. It would have been better for the father to have been prosecuted for placing his children at so much risk.

Beaches, wherever they are, can be dangerous places; the sea is really cruel. Could beaches, as well as immediate coastal waters, not be policed by laws similar to those controlling our roads and footpaths?

A great-uncle of mine was a crew member of the last 'pulling boat' at Skegness, whose station displays a picture of him and his crew. With them, peering over the gunhale, is a small boy. My late father. That is the reason why I care so much about beach and sea safety.

Yours sincerely,

JOHN BURROWS

Leicester

24 March