Beach tragedy family calls for more safety measures

The family of a man from Sutton, who drowned while trying to rescue a young girl from the sea in West Sussex, have called for new safety measures on UK beaches.

Plamen Petkov, 32, dived into the water at West Wittering on Saturday, to go to the aid of a five-year-old girl who was drifting out to sea on a rubber ring.

Although he managed to get the child to safety, he failed to reach the shore himself, and was later recovered, unconscious, from the water.

His family said that they were "keen to call for additional positive safety measures", such as stationed lifeguards, to avoid similar tragedies in the future.

The child, who has not been named, is believed to be from north-west London.

The full statement, released by the family, is copied below.