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Parents drowned in sea rescue bid Parents drowned in sea rescue bid
(9 minutes later)
Three parents drowned while trying to rescue their children from the sea in Portugal, an inquest has heard. An inquest has heard how a man fought to rescue four children from the sea in Portugal but was unable to save his wife or friends from the current.
Robert and Deborah Fry and Jean Dinsmore, all of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, died at Praia do Tonel beach near Sagres in October last year. Roy Dinsmore, 48, told the court how he fought to get the children out of the water - but that his wife was "snatched from his grasp".
Mr Dinsmore's wife and another couple drowned in the sea at Praia do Tonel beach near Sagres.
The coroner recorded a verdict of misadventure.
Robert and Deborah Fry and Jean Dinsmore, all of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, died in October last year.
Mr and Mrs Fry's children, Rosie and George, survived along with Mrs Dinsmore's children, Lydia and Alex.Mr and Mrs Fry's children, Rosie and George, survived along with Mrs Dinsmore's children, Lydia and Alex.
A German man also died trying to save his daughter who survived. The coroner recorded a verdict of misadventure. A German man also died trying to save his daughter who survived.
'Surf crashing''Surf crashing'
Mr Fry and his wife were holidaying in the Algarve with Roy and Jean Dinsmore, and a third couple, Dean and Susan Plumb.Mr Fry and his wife were holidaying in the Algarve with Roy and Jean Dinsmore, and a third couple, Dean and Susan Plumb.
The adults had raced into the sea to help three children who were all sucked out to sea by the current.The adults had raced into the sea to help three children who were all sucked out to sea by the current.
All the children were swept on to the shore with minor injuries but attempts to resuscitate the adults failed.All the children were swept on to the shore with minor injuries but attempts to resuscitate the adults failed.
Mr Dinsmore, who was praised by the coroner for re-living his account of the disaster, told the inquest how he fought to escort the children from the water - but his wife was "snatched from his grasp". Mr Dinsmore told the inquest: "I got hold of her (his wife) and tried to rescue her. With hindsight she must have taken water on board. She was a strong swimmer.
He said: "I got hold of her and tried to rescue her. With hindsight she must have taken water on board. She was a strong swimmer.
"I swam with her getting buffeted by the waves, being swept up the beach and back out. Surf was crashing over our heads making it difficult to float. She was conscious, but it was a limited extent."I swam with her getting buffeted by the waves, being swept up the beach and back out. Surf was crashing over our heads making it difficult to float. She was conscious, but it was a limited extent.
"A wave broke over our heads and I lost my grip on her. It took me minutes to discover where she was. She was face down in the sea.""A wave broke over our heads and I lost my grip on her. It took me minutes to discover where she was. She was face down in the sea."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said after the tragedy that the nation's "heartfelt thoughts" were with the children of those who drowned.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said after the tragedy that the nation's "heartfelt thoughts" were with the children of those who drowned.
The beach is popular with surfers because of its strong waves but there were no lifeguards on duty at the time.The beach is popular with surfers because of its strong waves but there were no lifeguards on duty at the time.