Father Of Seven Dies While Trying To Rescue His Children From Drowning (Photo)

A father-of-seven sacrificed his life to rescue his three of his children from drowning in the sea.

According to Metro Uk, Jonathan Stevens, 36, sacrificed his own life to save the youngsters when they were caught in a deadly riptide at Barmouth beach in North Wales.

Jonathan, a plasterer from Telford, pulled his children, thought to be aged between 10 and 12, to safety after they began to struggle in the water yesterday lunchtime.

Today his partner, Laura Burford, told how he died a hero and revealed her agony at losing the ‘complete love of her life’.

In a statement to North Wales Live, Laura, 34, said: ‘I am absolutely devastated to say that I have lost the complete love of my life.

‘All seven of his beautiful kids have lost their dad. He died saving his kids’ lives in the sea. There are no words to describe the pain.

‘I will always be grateful to (him) for bringing our babies back. I love him, always have, and always will.’

A crowdfunding page has now been set up to help raise money for the family to buy a keepsake to remember their dad. It has so far collected more than £1,500 of the £2,000 target.

One person who donated said: ‘I didn’t know the family but I have been incredibly moved by this terrible tragedy.

‘It must be comforting to know he died a hero.’

A dad of seven died rescuing three of his children when they got into difficulty in the sea while on a family trip to North Wales. Jonathan Stevens was with the youngsters at Barmouth beach when they began to struggle in the water at lunchtime on Sunday. Barmouth beach

A North Wales Police spokesman confirmed the force and the Coastguard were called just before 2pm on Sunday to reports a man was in difficulty in the water.

He said: ‘The man was taken by air ambulance to Ysbyty Gwynedd, where he tragically died.’

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman added: ‘We were called at 1.39pm 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.

‘Three patients were taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd.’