A HEROIC shop owner plunged into the sea to help save a man and his two children from drowning.

Daisey Crossman, who runs Coastal Bliss in Mersea High Street, was spending time with her family at their beach hut at the end of Seaview Avenue when she heard shouting coming from a father who had been paddleboarding with his young son and daughter.

Mrs Crossman, 46, realised there was a problem and immediately ran to help along with two holidaymakers.

She said: “A lot of people had left the beach by this time and I could hear noises from the man and his children but I thought they were messing around.

“But soon after I realised he was shouting for help.

“His wife, who was on the beach, flew out to sea but then came back because her baby was there - she had no idea where she needed to be.

“I said to my husband ‘they are in trouble’ and just ran down.

“Two other men came in when they realised something was wrong - they were quite far out.

“One got to the little girl, another helped the dad and I was with the little boy.

“He did not speak much English but just kept saying ‘don’t die’ but I tried to reassure him he was going to be OK.

“The father was very emotional and exhausted.

“The mother spoke better English and was absolutely beside herself with worry.

“The two men with me were visitors and were brilliant.”

Mrs Crossman has lived on the island for two years but the rescue at 4.30pm on Sunday was the first time she had been in the water since moving there.

She said: “A little while ago my children were swept away just a little way by a strong wave.

“Luckily they were wearing lifejackets and their heads did not even go underwater and somebody came to help them.

“Maybe it was the memory of that which spurred me on.”

  • MORE lifeguards are needed to protect beachgoers, according to lifesaver Mrs Crossman.

After the rescue, she went and spoke to volunteer lifeguards who are based near the Victoria Esplanade car park and travel in from as far as Brentwood.

She said: “I think they need a bit more recognition and support and additional funds for them.

“I went and spoke to them and was told there were just two of them who volunteer and come from Brentwood and only visit at high tide.

“We need more people to put themselves forward and get training.

“If we had waited for them to come on Sunday from where they are based then it might well have been too late.

“They are planing classes about the sea and I think it is a brilliant idea.”