Double sea tragedy - family's gratitude

Sue Benson, whose brother Alan Watkins was found dead at sea, two days after his two-year-old son Arun's body was recovered, said she and her family were also grateful for the flowers, messages and teddy bears left near the riverside Look and Sea! centre by people moved by the tragedy.

In a letter to the Gazette (see page 24), Mrs Benson, of Liverpool, says: "Yours is such a beautiful little town with many caring, kind and thoughtful people. My family and I have holidayed there many times, in fact that was how Alan first came there, to visit us while we were staying in the resort.

"This has been such a terrible, hard time for all of the family and we are trying to begin to come to terms with this tragic loss. The kindness of those people who didn't even know this wonderful, good man and his adorable little boy has touched us. Thank you all."

Arun and his father were seen launching their boat off the beach near Littlehampton Swimming and Sports Centre on the afternoon of Sunday, June 10. A couple of hours later, the empty dinghy was spotted close to the harbour entrance, and shortly afterwards, the toddler was seen floating, face-down, nearby.

In spite of the efforts of a woman trained in paediatric resuscitation, to save Arun's life on the journey to the lifeboat station, and further attempts by paramedics on the river bank and on the way to Worthing Hospital, he was dead on arrival there.

A major land, sea and air search for Mr Watkins was launched, but called off after 24 hours, with no prospect of finding him alive.

Two days later, a kite-surfer reported seeing a body floating in the sea near the swimming and sports centre, and it was recovered by a lifeboat crew. The body was later identified as that of Mr Watkins.