Police quiz tragedy witnesses

Spanish police will today interview holidaymakers who saw a Shropshire father and son drown in stormy seas off the Costa Brava.

Symon Howlett, 32, and his five-year-old son Jay, of Market Drayton, died in the resort of Tossa de Mar on Wednesday despite frantic efforts to save them. The pair perished after a wave surged on to the seafront as Mr Howlett was photographing Jay and his brother Thomas, nine.

Mr Howlett leapt into the water as both boys were swept into the sea, managing to save his eldest child before returning to the water for Jay.

Witnesses described how Mr Howlett's wife, Deborah, and Thomas comforted each other as they watched rescue services attempt to recover the two bodies.

According to reports, Mr Howlett and Jay were spotted clinging to a buoy by rescuers in a helicopter, but they died before anyone could reach them.

One eyewitness, a man in his 40s from Long Melford, Suffolk, who did not want to be named, has previously said Mr Howlett's actions in entering the "fierce" seas deserved a bravery award.

He said: "The dad was really heroic. If he had lived he would have deserved a medal."

Diving instructor Ezequiel Mizraha, who was also on the seafront, said: "I tried to get into the water to help with the rescue, but it was just too difficult. The waves ended up taking my flippers off so I was unable to continue the rescue.

"There was just so much current. I did all I could, everyone did."

The boys' grandmothers, Lynda Kiely and Brenda Howlett, arrived at the Spanish resort to support the family yesterday afternoon.

Police said the British consulate were looking after the family, who were expected to return home to Britain soon. The bodies of Mr Howlett and Jay are also expected to be repatriated.

Mr Howlett's wife left the hotel in Tossa de Mar at about noon yesterday to view the bodies at the mortuary in Gerona.

A police spokesman said Mrs Howlett and her older son were in a "bad way".

In a statement released through West Mercia Police, Mr Howlett's family said: "We would like to thank everyone for their kind wishes at this very difficult time. Our focus now is on the welfare of Symon's wife Debbie and son Thomas."

By Andrew Rogers