The grandad of a teenager who lost his life at sea has made an urgent plea for better understanding and awareness of water safety two years on from his tragic death.

Matthew Sherrington, 14, from Hartlepool, died after playing in the sea near his home town in July 2021. 

The schoolboy, who was known as Matty and was a pupil at Manor Academy in Hartlepool, went missing on July 15 and was found a week later following a huge search of the area by police and the coastguard.

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Matthew's gradad Anthony Bell, from Peterlee, says that he "relives the moment each day" and that he wants to raise awareness of the dangers of open water. 

Mr Bell, who was with his friends the day Matthew was found, started crying "uncontrollably" at hearing the news. He says he's speaking now because he doesn't want other parents or guardians to go through the same.

Speaking to The Northern Echo two years to the day since Matthew was found, Mr Bell said: "It never gets any easier, getting nearer to the anniversary - it brings back the awful memories of the day he went missing and the day he was found. 

The Northern Echo: Anthony Bell, grandad of Matthew Sherrington, has called for better water safetyAnthony Bell, grandad of Matthew Sherrington, has called for better water safety (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

"You see youngsters out in the sea without parents and think to yourself 'so many people have died in the sea, why doesn't anyone take it seriously?'

"It feels like only yesterday and it's tough to internalise the hurt."

After Matthew's death, Mr Bell said he called on councils, politicians and emergency services to do more about water safety, and while some changes have taken place, he believes more can be done.

The grandad, who said Matthew was a "gentle and kind presence" and a "great little child", has described the 14-year-old's death as a "preventable accident".

The Northern Echo: Matthew SherringtonMatthew Sherrington (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

He added: "I want to bring awareness and be there to make sure Matthew's death isn't for nothing, and it's a cautionary tale for saving the life of other youngsters.

"I think more can be done to educate in schools. I remember going open water swimming but actually having someone coaching you and telling you the dangers of open water while we were there. That seems to have fallen by the wayside."

There have been renewed calls about water safety following the death of 16-year-old Freya Carley, who died at Saltburn at the start of June. 

The Northern Echo: Anthony Bell at the beach where Matthew went missingAnthony Bell at the beach where Matthew went missing (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The RNLI and HM Coastguard have also issued fresh advice to families planning to visit the coast this summer.

As schools prepare to break up in England and Wales, RNLI beach lifeguards, are expecting it to be extremely busy again during the long summer break.

In Redcar, there is a water safety team, run by Tony Jamieson, John Reece, and Rob Eddon, which looks to reach out to as many people as possible and reinforce the RNLI’s key water safety messages.

Mr Reece, said: "We try to get the water safety messages out in as fun a way as possible. Each session is tailored to the type of group we are dealing with.

"We tell people how to float to live, to always have a means of calling for help, check the weather and tides and to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if they think someone is in trouble in the water."

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Mike Picknett, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI, added: "The message delivered by our water safety team to the people of Teesside helps to keep both children and adults safe on our beaches and in our sea.

"Prevention is a great tool for the RNLI to use in its efforts to carry out its work as the charity that saves lives at sea."

The RNLI’s key water safety advice for 7-14 year-olds is:

  • Stop and think – Always swim in a safe place.
  • Stay together – Always swim with an adult, younger children and non-swimmers should always be within arm’s reach.
  • Float – If you find yourself in trouble in the water, float on your back like a starfish.
  • Call 999 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard.