James Cracknell saves grandfather and grandson from drowning on Devon beach

The grandson reportedly told Cracknell that he was “too young to die” as he rescued him from the water

The grandfather honoured Cracknell with saving his life before exclaiming at the sight of his celebrity rescuer ( Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)

The Olympic rower James Cracknell and his 11-year-old son have reportedly saved a grandfather and his grandson from drowning at a north Devon beach yesterday evening.

According to Twitter posts from Cracknell’s wife, the TV and radio presenter Beverly Turner, the rower and his son pulled the pair from the sea at Croyde beach.

The grandson, who according to Turner’s tweets is seven years old, reportedly told Cracknell that he was “too young to die” as he rescued him from the water.

The grandfather purportedly honoured Cracknell with saving his life before exclaiming at the sight of his celebrity rescuer saying “Bloody hell. It’s the rower!”

Turner said that her son Croyde, who is 11 years old and named after the beach, remained “cool, quick thinking, kind and brave” during the incident, while the rescued boy thanked Cracknell by vomiting on his wetsuit.

After the incident Turner said that all parties were “shaken but fine”.

Chivenor RMB Search and Rescue team told the North Devon Journal that they were called to an incident involving people in the water at either Croyde or Woolacombe beach, but were later told they had already been pulled out of the water.

A Coastguard added that they were unable to confirm Turner's specific details.

Cracknell is a double Olympic gold medallist winning gold in 2000 and 2004. In 2004 he was awarded an OBE for services to sport.