Latest news with #Ingoldmells
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Medic father, 60, who 'died a hero' after leaping into the sea to try to save two children was on holiday, devastated family reveal
A heroic medic father tragically lost his life after jumping into the sea in a desperate attempt to save two children who were in trouble in the water. Alexandru Melei, 60, died on May 25 while on holiday in the seaside town of Ingoldmells, near Skegness, after bravely leaping into the sea to try and rescue two twin girls who 'appeared to be in distress'. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, the coastguard and RNLI crews, rushed to the scene just after 4pm following reports that a man had entered the water close to the Promenade to help two struggling children. However, he sadly 'got into difficulty' himself and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. Now, Alexandru's devastated family has paid tribute to him in a moving statement on a GoFundMe page, describing him as 'selfless, brave, devoted' and revealing that he died as he had lived – helping others. 'On May 25th, while on holiday, my father, Alexandru Melei, lost his life in a final act of unimaginable courage. He drowned while trying to save two twin sisters who were in danger,' the heartbreaking tribute reads. 'He didn't hesitate. He did what he had always done - as a medical assistant, as a father, as a man - he stepped forward to help, even at the cost of his own life. That was who he was: selfless, brave, devoted. He died a hero, but our hearts are shattered.' The family say Alexandru's wife – his lifelong partner – was with him during his final moments and is 'devastated and lost without him'. They are now raising funds to repatriate his body so that he can be 'laid to rest with dignity, surrounded by the love of his family and his homeland'. 'We are left with an unbearable void,' the tribute continues. 'From the depths of our grief, we thank you for your kindness, your messages, and your support. May God guide his soul and reward his sacrifice with eternal peace.' Lincolnshire Police confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement, saying: 'A 60-year-old man has sadly died after entering the water to help two children who appeared to be in distress. 'The man reportedly entered the sea just after 4pm today (25 May) close to the Promenade in Ingoldmells, he got into difficulty and sadly died at the scene. Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones at this very sad time.' Lincolnshire Police have not confirmed the identities of the children involved and say the incident is still under investigation.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside the UK's ‘strangest' theme park – that's home to the biggest suspended looping roller coaster in the world
A lesser-known UK theme park is home to the world's tallest suspended looping coaster. Fantasy Island, located in Ingoldmells on Lincolnshire's coast, is one of the country's more unique theme parks. The quirky theme park has more than 30 rides but there's one that theme park junkies definitely won't want to miss. Fantasy Island's The Odyssey coaster is the world's tallest suspended looping coaster, standing at 167 feet/51 m high. The spine-tingling ride travels at 62mph and opened in 2002, the year of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. Prince Edward was one of the first people to ride The Odyssey. It has five inversions (where riders are turned upside down) including a corkscrew roll and a 124 feet/ 37 m high vertical loop. The Odyssey has a 4.6 rating out of five on Google Reviews with one rider describing it as 'unexpectedly good'. Another rider says: 'I loved it. When I first tried it, it was an amazing ride, probably better than The Smiler in Alton Towers.' The ride sits within Fantasy Island's 'Discovery' category which means it can only be ridden by those 1.1 m tall or above. Fantasy Island adds: 'Hold on tight as you soar through the sky at amazing heights, through a whirlwind of inversions at great speeds. 'The Jubilee Odyssey is a truly terrifying experience and is not a Skegness rollercoaster for the faint hearted.' But The Odyssey isn't Fantasy Island's only standout attraction. The theme park is home to Europe's largest seven day market with more than 320 stalls. Visitors can stop at Fantasy Foods for candy floss, then browse for wooden garden furniture or get a body piercing. The market also has a huge toy shop, face painting, handbag stalls and a baby boutique. On TikTok, @coastertog called it 'the strangest theme park in the UK', noting it's the only place you can go to 'ride the biggest SLC coaster in the world, and walk home with a wooden eagle, dog speaker and a three-piece outdoor furniture set'. A tourist said in a review on Google Reviews: 'The market and all the shops around Fantasy Island are brilliant. You'll find some bargains.' Another said: 'Great rides and a wonderful market makes this a good day out. We enjoyed the various food stalls and even had a cheeky tattoo to round off our visit.' A one day Discovery wristband which allows visitors to access all the park's rides costs £28.80 if purchased online. Visitors can also pay per ride if they get one of the park's iCards which can be topped up by Fantasy Island's cashiers. MailOnline Travel recently revealed where Europe's best theme parks are located - and exactly how much it will cost to visit them.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Man, 60, dies after ‘getting into difficulty' in water while rescuing two ‘distressed' children at popular UK beach
A 60-YEAR-OLD man has died while attempting to rescue two children from the water at a popular UK beach. The man reportedly entered the water near the Promenade in Ingoldmells, close to Skegness, at around 4pm on Sunday and later died at the scene. Emergency services were called to the beach, where rescue efforts were carried out. Lincolnshire Police released a statement on the incident, a spokesperson said: "A man has sadly died after entering the sea in Ingoldmells. "A 60-year-old man has sadly died after entering the water to help two children who appeared to be in distress. "The man reportedly entered the sea just after 4pm today (25 May) close to the Promenade in Ingoldmells, he got into difficulty and sadly died at the scene. Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones at this very sad time." It comes after a body was found on the shore of a popular beach just yards away from a holiday park. Passersby tragically found the body at North Beach in Great Yarmouth earlier today. Cops rushed to the beach after receiving concerned reports at around 6.30am. Two men came across the grim discovery close to the Haven Seashore Holiday Park and immediately contacted the authorities. One of the men told the BBC he was on a morning walk before seeing the body and dialling 999. Cops and paramedics attended the scene and Norfolk Constabulary said officers were working on the beach. A tent was put up near the shoreline where the body was found.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Man dies after entering sea to help children near Skegness
A 60-year-old man has died after trying to help two children who appeared to be in distress in the sea near Skegness. Lincolnshire Police said the man entered the water shortly after 4pm on Sunday near the Promenade in Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire. Emergency services were called but the man got into difficulty and died at the scene. In a statement, Lincolnshire Police said: 'Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones at this very sad time.' An air ambulance, coastguard, and RNLI were deployed in response to the incident. An RNLI spokesperson confirmed an RNLI lifeboat from Skegness launched to the incident off Ingoldmells Beach. No further information has been released about the children involved.
Sky News
5 days ago
- Sky News
Man dies trying to help two children 'in distress' at beach near Skegness
A man has died after attempting to save two children who appeared to be in distress in the sea. The 60-year-old entered the water close to the promenade in Ingoldmells, near Skegness, at around 4pm on Sunday. He got into difficulty and died at the scene, Lincolnshire Police said. "Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones at this very sad time," the force added. It did not give any further details about the children involved in the incident.
