Families mourn parents lost in drowning tragedy

FRIENDS of three British holidaymakers who drowned while attempting to save their children spoke yesterday of the devastation of two families.

In all, four adults — a Wiltshire couple, their friend and a German tourist — died after they entered the sea off the coast of the Algarve to rescue a group of youngsters who had got in trouble.

The accident has left two children orphaned, while another has lost a mother, the Foreign Office confirmed today.

British couple Bob and Deb Fry, from Wootton Bassett near Swindon, were named by neighbours today as among the dead.

Their friend Jean Dinsmore, is also believed to have been involved in the tragedy. They were part of a group enjoying a holiday on the south-west coast of Portugal when the incident occurred on Monday afternoon.

Their children got into trouble while playing in the sea near the resort town of Sagres, possibly as a result of a rip current.

There were no lifeguards on duty at the Tonel beach, which was closed for the winter.

The commander of the local maritime police, Pedro Pereira, said: “Because summer season is concluded by September 3, the Tonel beach is closed and there is no lifesaving personnel.

“Reinforcing this, at the entry to the beach there is a sign to warn of this fact.”

After being alerted to the children’s trouble, a number of adults dived into the water to save them.

It is believed that during the rescue attempt they were caught by strong currents and were pulled further out to sea. Three children were reported to have suffered minor injuries as they were thrown back on to the beach.

But four of the adults succumbed to the pull of the waters and lost their lives.

A further three adults required hospital treatment. By yesterday afternoon, only one remained in care, but he is expected to be released by the end of today, a spokeswoman for the hospital in Portimao said. She confirmed the injured man’s name as Dean Plumb.

Friends of the Frys spoke yesterday of their shock.

Next-door neighbour Fiona Shaw, who had been looking after the family’s cat and goldfish, said the couple were “two of the friendliest people” in the close-knit community.