Tourists describe beach tragedy

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Symon Howlett, 32, and his five-year-old son Jay died after a wave hit as they took pictures at the beach.

The wave surged on to the Mar Menuda in Tossa de Mar at about 11am on Wednesday as Mr Howlett was photographing Jay and his brother Thomas, seven.

Mr Howlett and his wife Deborah, from Market Drayton in Shropshire, could only watch in horror as both boys were swept into the sea but Mr Howlett then leapt in himself.

He managed to save his eldest child and returned to the water for Jay, but both were then overcome by the waves as the rest of their family looked on.

They were spotted clinging to a buoy by rescuers in a helicopter but died before anyone could reach them.

One holidaymaker said it was clear father and son were dead in the water before emergency services could reach them.

Mrs Howlett was seen watching helplessly nearby, clutching her other son.

The eyewitness, from Long Melford, Suffolk, who is in his 40s, but did not want to be named, said: "The beach was fairly quiet and at the time there were only around two or three people walking there.

"I was told that the father and the boy were in the sea next to the buoy and so we presumed that they were alive but when we got to the top of the viewpoint we could see two bodies face down in the water next to the buoy and realised they were dead."