‘Heartfelt thanks’ to grandson’s rescuer after beach drama
Grandmother-of-nine Valerie Bettag with her youngest grandchild, Kieran - Credit: Archant
A grandmother of nine has offered her heartfelt thanks to the mystery man who plucked her grandchild from danger in the sea at Jacob’s Ladder.
Valerie Bettag did not take her eye off six-year-old Kieran but he was excited to be at the seaside and was soon out of his depth.
She was too far away to intervene but a man playing in the water saw her grandson’s distress and ran to his rescue.
“I didn’t even get his name – I just want to give my heartfelt thanks to the kind stranger who came to my grandson’s rescue,” said Valerie.
“It only took a second for my grandson to lose his footing and go under. This could easily have ended in tragedy.
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“It was just awful. I was so upset I didn’t even take his name.”
London resident Kieran had just arrived in Sidmouth with his dad Michael on Sunday (July 20) afternoon and wanted to go straight to the beach.
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“I don’t see him that often,” added Valerie, who lives in Cotmaton Road. “I forget how lively he is.
“I wasn’t quick enough – I was fully dressed on the beach – but this chap went straight over.”
Her grandson’s hero was half of a pair in the sea playing with a blue Frisbee.
Do you know who it was? Email sidmouth.letters@archant.co.uk.
