Inquest opens into Telford hero who died trying to save his children
An inquest has opened into a Telford man who died a hero as he tried to rescue his children from being swept away by the sea.
Jonathan Stevens, 36, a plasterer from Woodside, died in August in hospital at Bangor, after getting into difficulty at a Welsh beach.
It is believed he got caught in a rip current off Barmouth while on a day trip with his children. He and the children had been on holiday in the area when the tragedy happened.
A lifeboat was launched and coastguard and air ambulance helicopters flew to the scene.
Two children were rescued from the sea, while Mr Stevens was taken by helicopter to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
'Amazing man'
At the time a coastguard spokesman said that a lifeboat and fixed wing aircraft were sent out after people were reported in the water.
A statement from the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We were called to reports of persons caught in a rip tide at Barmouth beach. We sent two rapid response cars and two emergency ambulances to the scene where crews were also supported by a Wales Air Ambulance and a search and rescue helicopter.”
Mr Stevens was known affectionately as ‘Joff’.
He had seven children and five sisters, and was described as “an amazing man, brother, son and dad” by his sister Kim.
Assistant coroner Katie Sutherland at Caernarfon said: “The investigation into Mr Stevens’s death is still ongoing.”
The inquest will resume at a later date when evidence about the circumstances of his death will be heard.
After the incident at Barmouth, Gwynedd Council said it would review lifeguard arrangements at the beach.
