An “heroic” father from Shropshire drowned as he tried to save his young son after his two children were swept away by a huge wave at a Spanish holiday resort.
Symon Howlett, 32, rescued his eldest son Thomas and dived back in to try and rescue five-year-old Jay, after the wave struck in Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava at about 11am yesterday.
Tributes were today paid to the Market Drayton pair with locals speaking of their devastation and describing Jay as a “happy, lively and bright boy”. One British holidaymaker who witnessed the aftermath of the incident described Mr Howlett as “heroic” in his efforts to save his two boys.
Mr Howlett and his wife Deborah had paused to take pictures of Jay and their other son Thomas, nine, but could only watch in horror as they were swept into the sea.
Mr Howlett then leapt into the sea himself, managing to save his eldest child before returning to the water for Jay. But both were then overcome by the waves as the rest of their family looked on.
Spanish news agency Efe said the pair were spotted clinging to a buoy by rescuers in a helicopter, but died before the team could reach them. Their bodies were eventually recovered nearly 900 yards away from where the wave originally struck.
Police said Mrs Howlett suffered a panic attack after witnessing the entire incident. A spokesman said she was taken to Tossa de Mar’s medical centre along with Thomas, who was treated for hypothermia.
Michael Howlett, Mr Howlett’s father, from Whitchurch, said: “My son jumped in and got Thomas out, but when he went back to get Jay the undercurrent was too strong and they were both dragged out to sea.
“The locals tried to get to them, as did the rescue people, but the sea was too rough. They could see them, but couldn’t reach them. Symon was a wonderful son and a wonderful father. He would not have hesitated to risk his life to save the kids.”
Today Margaret Malcolm, headteacher at Market Drayton Infants’ School, where Jay was a pupil, paid tribute to him.
“Everyone here is deeply shocked by this and our thoughts and prayers are with Jay’s family,” she said. “We will all miss Jay. We have lost a happy, lively and bright boy.”
She said prayers would be held in assembly tomorrow and the school was considering what tribute it could do in Jay’s memory.
Anthony Garrett, manager of the Market Drayton Tigers’ under-10s football team, which Thomas plays for, said Mr Howlett used to help coach the team, and was also involved with the younger Tiny Tigers side, which Jay played for.
Mr Garrett said: “Everybody is really devastated. Symon was always offering his services to help out. Jay used to come to all the matches and was like the team mascot.”
He said the team was due to play a match on Sunday, although it may not go ahead as a mark of respect. If it does take place a minute’s silence will be held.
Neighbour Alannah Purslow, who has known the family for many years, said: “They are a fun-loving and lovely family and I am absolutely devastated.”
Pay your tributes to Symon and Jay Howlett in the comment box below.
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32 Comments
A tragedy and puts or should put peoples fairly small problems in to perspective.
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My thoughts are with all the family at this time. RIP boys x x
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Symon was my cousin and on behalf of myself and this side of the family, our deepest sympathy to Debbie, Thomas and Auntie Bren who do not deserve to be suffering this torment now or ever. Our love to you all. xxxxxxxx
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My heart goes out to the family, such a tragic loss, at times like these family & friends pull together & ease the pain.
I believe time is a great healer & the happy memories can never be taken. God Rest xx
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My heart and thoughts are with you all at this time. Keep all the happy, fondest memories at heart and they will gradually ease the pain. RIP boys xx
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thinking of the whole family at this time of such tragic loss may both father and son rest in peace xxx
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A terrible tragedy and such a shame RIP
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RIP Sy and Jay. Such a sad sad loss.
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I knew Symon from playing football with him during the mid 90s and remember him being a leader when he was on the pitch even at such a young age. It was a pleasure to have known him and he was a really nice genuine guy and it was such a shock for me when I heard about this terrible news.
My heart really goes out to Deb & Thomas and to offer my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
God bless you Symon & Jay
xxxxx
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I pray for the rest of this 2 angels god needed, and for the calm of the mother and son. I don’t knew them, but i ask the best wishes for the whole family.
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Our hearts go out to Debbie & Thomas – such a tragedy. Rest in peace Symon & Jay x
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Words can’t describe what you must be feeling and how you will ever get through this. Take comfort in knowing that all your friends and family will be there for you and Simon and Jay will never be forgotten. Simon was a great guy, and Jay was a little star.
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I LIVE IN OLDHAM AND READ THE NEWS ON THE NET EVERY NIGHT AND I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THIS TRAGEDY I DO HOPE THAT THE FAMILY CAN GET ON WITH THERE LIVES AND PUT THIS BEHIND THEM
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Many years since I lived in Whitchurch but I can remember Symon and all anybody can say and all I can remember is what a genuine, decent and nice lad he was. This is an absolute tragedy and one which no Mother, wife, child etc should ever have to endure, that said my heart and thoughts go out to Brenda, Debbie and the rest of the family. Rest in peace xx
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What a terrible tragedy.
My heart and prayers go out to the whole family.
May you take comfort in knowing your husband died being a hero and a great day doing everything he could to try and save his family.
God bless
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rip
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our hearts go out to Debbie and Thomas such a tragedy god bless and rest in peace Symon and Jay xxxx
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Nothing I can say will take away the anguish and I can only say that what your husband did was what any other father would have done. My heart goes out to you for your loss and I hope that you and your son can find a way through the pain of this tragedy.Hold onto your memories and your family for this will be the best way.
Deepest sympathy from myself and family in Hamilton.
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i coached jay at tiny tigers every saturday morning he was a great lad and he will be truly missed.
rip symon and jay
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Brenda, Debbie and Thomas you are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Love to you all from Leah and family XXXXX
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I witnessed my father drown on a family holiday – I have an inkling of what the family are going through.
Words cannot express
RIP
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my thoughts are with you at this hard time,
R.I.P symon and jay god bless xxxxx
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I remember Symon from school, and later when he started dating his now wife, Debbie. I’m so sorry to hear of this awful tragedy and terrible loss – my thoughts are with Debbie and Thomas and this sad time xx RIP Symon and Jay
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My thoughts are with the family, especially with Brenda, whom I knew when I lived in Whitchurch 2 years ago.
God bless you Brenda, Debbie and Thomas. Love Karen xxx
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Thinking of you all at this very tragic time. xx
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If you hear a voice in the middle of the night
Sayin’ it’ll be alright
It will be me
If you feel a hand guiding you along
When the path seems wrong
It will be me
There is no mountain that I can’t climb
For you I’d swim through the rivers of time
As you go your way and I go mine
A light will shine
And it will be me
If there is a key that goes to your heart
A special part
It will be me
If you need a friend
Call out to the wind
To hold you again
It will be me
Oh how the world seems so unfair
Creating a love that can not be shared
As you go your way and I go mine
A light will shine
And it will be me
Past the ever after there’s a place for two
In your tears of laughter
I’ll be there for you
In the sun and the moon
In the land and the sea
Look all around you
It will be me
There is no mountain that I can’t climb
For you I’d swim through the rivers of time
As you go your way and I go mine
A light will shine
And it will be me
It will be me
It will be me…
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I deffinetly knew simon because he is my grandads nephew. When i first heard about what happened i just wonted some one to turn round and tell me it isnt true, but sadly know one could.
R.I.P Simon and Jay
u will always be loved x
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What Can I Sayy Really??
They were so perfect. Had there whole lives ahead of them.
I miss them so much, already.
I cant even begin to think about how distruaght Sym’s mum, deb, tom, Shawn and Faye are. If im feeling the way i am then it must be beyond even thinking about.
[RIP]
- Uncle Symon
- Jay
Yu will be missed hugely.
Love Yu So Much
Xx
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Just now, I saw WINC-TV television interview about this disaster ,I could not help sheding tears again. I was a Symon’s friend, November 21, it is their 10th wedding anniversary, they decided to fly Spain to spend holiday, I and my wife also went to Spain with them together. I never thought such a thing would happen, we witnessed all disaster. Symon was threw back to shore by big waves eight times, but in order to rescue his son, he did not give up, went to sea again and again. Even more dangerous is that he was caught once by seagrass in the sea. Luckily, his wife responds quickly, she floated a knife to him in a plastic bottle. However, he failed to escape his son finally.
Hope he and his son can rest peaceably in heaven.
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We are all just so sorry to hear about little Jay and his dad Symon.
We do not know you very well but we felt we had to write something about you.
We met at Clarach Bay in the Showboat Club in October half term holidays. We had a really nice chat to Thomas, Jay and their grandmothers. We thought what lovely boys they were, always smiling. We knew all the family were so proud of them.
It was a real pleasure to meet such a loving family who we shall always remember. Although we have not met mum Debbie and dad Symon, we want Thomas and Debbie to remember all the good times together, memories really do last forever and what a loving family you have something you both should be very proud of.
Thinking of you all
Take care
Betty,Sue,Samantha and Elliot xxxx
(Shropshire)
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dear tom and debbie you are in our thoughts all the time. we are thinking af you
from kerry boswell
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ive known debbie for 25 yrs now, she was close to our family for a long long time, im devestated for you deb, and having lost a child ourselves, we know how you feel, we will always be here for you deb, only knew symon briefly and we got on well. Tom and Symon will look after your baby deb, dont ever give up, your tough and a hell of a fighter.
clarkson has my number if you ever fell the need to use it. Take care deb, be strong!
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