This is the first picture of a “true hero” British father who died trying to save his two young daughters off a beach during a family holiday in Portugal.
The 45-year-old, named as Abu Dhabi-based financial consultant Trevor Pelling, went into the sea to rescue his girls, aged 12 and 9, when they got into difficulties because of the strong current, said officials.
Mr Pelling worked deVere Group, whose CEO, Nigel Green, described the Brit as a “great, generous and talented” employee, who was a “true hero”.
Colleagues were left “devastated” by the tragedy, Mr Green told the Mirror.
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Mr Pelling’s LinkedIn page described him as a manager at deVere Acuma in Abu Dhabi (Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
The tragedy happened just after 2pm on Thursday at Calada Beach in Encarnacao, about an hours drive north-west of Lisbon, just days before lifeguard patrols were due to begin for the summer season.
Mr Pelling was in cardiac arrest when surfers pulled him out of the water.
Locals and a nurse, who was on the beach, spent nearly an hour trying to save him before he was pronounced dead.
Mr Pelling’s daughters were in a stable condition when they were taken toSanta Maria Hospital in Lisbon for a medical examination.
Mr Pelling was a British financial consultant based in the United Arab Emirates (Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
A psychologist was assisting the grief-stricken youngsters and their mum.
An Instagram account under Mr Pellings name features two pictures taken the day before the tragedy.
One shows the sea with the sun setting in the distance.
The caption states: Portugal was a gateway back to the U.K. but family time here great wine, amazing views and lovely chilled way of life has totally grabbed me.
Mr Pelling, 45, and his family were on holiday in western Portugal when the tragedy happened (Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
Mr Pelling’s daughters were in a stable condition when they were taken to hospital (Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
I can see myself returning here time and time again.
His LinkedIn profile described him as an Abu Dhabi-based area manager at deVere Acuma, part of one of the worlds leading independent financial advisory organisations.
Mr Green, the CEO of deVere Group, said in a statement to the Mirror: “The deVere family is devastated by the tragic passing of Trevor.
“We knew him as a great, generous and talented colleague.
Mr Pelling’s LinkedIn page described him as a manager at deVere Acuma in Abu Dhabi (Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
“We know also know him as a true hero.
“We send our deepest condolences to his family.
Calada Beach – Praia da Calada in Portuguese – is a long sandy beach that has the shape of a seashell.
The popular surfers spot is surrounded by tall cliffs which protect it from strong winds.
Lifeguard patrols on the beach where the tragedy occurred are not due to begin until June 12, although qualified Navy specialists working to protect the public through the so-called Seawatch project were mobilised after the alarm was raised.
The tragedy happened just at Calada Beach in Encarnacao, Portugal (Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
Last month, the Portuguese Federation of Lifeguards said it had recorded 46 drownings so far this year, and the fact that beaches were not being patrolled was a very serious problem
Portugals National Maritime Authority said in a statement: A man, aged 45, died at Calada Beach, an unguarded beach in the district of Mafra, as he was trying to help his two young daughters, aged 12 and nine, when they got into difficulties in the water.
The alert was received at 2.40pm through the District Operational Command Assist Centre in Lisbon.
Cascais Maritime Police officers and officials from the ‘SeaWatch’ project were immediately sent to the location using an Amarok vehicle.
Three volunteer firefighter ambulances from Ericeira and two emergency and reanimation medical vehicles from Torres Vedras were also mobilised.
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Upon arrival at the site they found a man had been pulled out of the water by two surfers, he had gone into cardiac arrest and a nurse who was at the scene had begun to perform life-saving techniques which were then continued by the firefighters.
Despite their attempts to resuscitate him, it was not possible to reverse the situation and he was declared dead at the scene.
The authority added: The two children were taken by ambulance to Lisbons Santa Maria Hospital, in a stable situation, accompanied by their mother.
A Maritime Police psychologist is providing support to the dead mans relatives and one of the surfers who pulled him out of the water.
A routine police investigation into the incident is understood to be underway. It was not immediately clear if the post-mortem has already taken place.
A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDP) spokeswoman said: We are providing support to the family of a British man who has sadly drowned in Portugal. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
