Mother and son die in Aberdeen beach tragedy

A MOTHER and her young son have died after a day out at the seaside ended in tragedy.

Emergency services raced to the scene around 4.45pm yesterday after reports of several people in the water at the beachfront in Aberdeen.

In total, five people were rescued by police and a lifeboat crew.

Tragically, a 37-year-old woman and her seven year old son were later confirmed to have died in hospital.

Last night, a 13-year-old boy, thought to be the woman’s other son, was still being treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary alongside a 25-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man.

The drama is said to have occurred after the mother and her two sons got into trouble while playing in the water at the beachfront.

They were on a flat stretch of sea wall that runs the length of the beach when they got into difficulty.

Witnesses said selfless members of the public put themselves in harm’s way to try and rescue the family.

One onlooker, Claire Lewtas, said some of the group were playing a game where they let waves splash over their heads.

The last seconds may have been captured on video before tragedy struck.

Ms Lewtas said: “They were standing at the bottom of the slope bit down to the beach.

“They had their tops off and were letting the waves come over the top of their heads. There was a woman with them either videoing it or taking pictures.

“I was going to go down and tell her it was unsafe but I didn’t want to interfere so my husband and I left with my son.

“On the way home a friend contacted me saying there had been an incident down the beach and someone had been dragged into the sea.

“I only wish I had said something to her.”

Martin Vicca, owner of the Inversnecky Cafe, which directly overlooks the area, said everyone was in shock.

He said: “The tide was all the way in and at that point it would be reaching six or seven feet up the sea wall.

“There’s a sloped bit of the sea wall then there’s a wee flat bit then a vertical drop. They were on the wee flat bit.

“The first police car that arrived tore down the slope and straight into the water. It was not a question of playing around trying to be safe, waiting for lifeboats or whatever.

“Members of the public were helping as much as they could.

“I spoke to someone who actually helped pull one of the kids from the water.

“He was asking the man to try and get to his brother.”

Last night, stunned locals gathered at the seafront.

“It makes my blood run cold that an innocent day out at the seaside ended so tragically,” one said.

“It’s just heartbreaking that a mum and her son have died. My heart just goes out to the other family members. They must be utterly heartbroken.

“I can’t begin to imagine how they’ll get over this.”

Witnesses described the weather conditions as “squally” with gusts of wind battering the coast.

Both the Aberdeen lifeboat and local coastguard rescue teams were involved in the operation.

The five casualties were taken to waiting ambulances and rushed to hospital under police escort.

Officers spent the evening quizzing dozens of witnesses as a large area of the beach was cordoned off.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage of the popular spot to try and piece together exactly what happened.

Police Scotland said it was not a “typical” day for people to be playing in the water due to the weather conditions and that they were making inquiries as to what had happened in the lead-up to the tragedy.

Chief Inspector Stewart Mackie of Police Scotland said: “This is a very tragic incident which has resulted in a woman and young boy sadly losing their lives.

“It will undoubtedly bring shock and sadness to the entire city of Aberdeen and further afield.

“As we work with partners to establish the full circumstances of today’s events, we urge anyone who witnessed the incident or perhaps has information that could assist, to contact the police.

“Given the recent weather conditions we’d urge members of the public to take care, especially when near coastal or beach areas.”