Telford Dad dies rescuing his children from the sea during North Wales family holiday

It is understood Mr Stevens had been in Gwynedd with three of his children, aged between 10 and 12, when the tragedy occured. Credit: BPM

A dad of seven has died after rescuing three of his children when they got into difficulty in the sea while on a family trip to North Wales.Jonathan Stevens was with the youngsters at Barmouth beach when they began to struggle in the water at lunchtime on Sunday (2nd August). The 36-year-old tried to pull his children - who had been caught in the rip tide - to safety.

A major rescue operation was launched, with a lifeboat and Coastguard search and rescue helicopter dispatched Credit: BPM

Mr Stevens - known as Joff to his friends - was then pulled from the water following a major rescue operation. He was airlifted to hospital but died in Ysbyty Gwynedd.

A lifeboat and Coastguard search and rescue helicopter were dispatched. Credit: BPM

His heartbroken partner, Laura Burford, said Mr Stevens, from Telford, had died a hero, "saving their babies".

She described Mr Stevens as a "true hero", and said she hoped to raise money to support Mr Stevens' loved ones.Mr Steven's was flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd by air ambulance. Video captured several emergency response vehicles at the scene.

A Coastguard spokesman said: "At 1.31pm HM Coastguard received a 999 call reporting people in the water off Barmouth and sent Barmouth coastguard rescue team, Barmouth RNLI lifeboat, and HM Coastguard's fixed wing aircraft. Barmouth harbour master and the Coastguard rescue helicopter and helimed also attended. A male casualty was recovered from the water and transferred to Ysbyty Gwynedd in a serious condition."A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We were called at1.39pm to reports of persons caught in a rip tide at Barmouth beach. We sent two rapid response cars and two emergency ambulances to the scene where crews were also supported by a Wales Air Ambulance and a search and rescue helicopter."