A MOTHER and son who died after being pulled from the sea in Aberdeen have been named.
Tragic Julie Walker, 37, and six-year-old Lucas were enjoying a family outing when horror struck.
Emergency services raced to the city’s beachfront at 4.45pm yesterday after reports that several people had come into difficulty in the water.
Onlookers, including off-duty policemen and members of the public, made valiant attempts to help, diving in to the water to try and bring out those in danger.
Julie’s other son, Samuel, also desperately tried to get to his relatives.
But, the victims, among five rescued and transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, could not be saved.
A 13 year-old boy, 25 year-old woman and 28 year-old man were also taken to hospital for treatment, where the young boy remains.
The woman and man have been discharged.
North East Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson, shared his sadness after the tragedy.
He said: “Our thoughts are with the Walker family at this sad and difficult time.
“Whilst officers continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident, it is clear heroic attempts were made to save Julie and Lucas by people facing treacherous sea conditions and high winds during their rescue bid.
“Their brave efforts cannot be overstated.”
Chief Superintendent Thomson added: “I’d like to pay special tribute to Lucas’s brother Samuel, who very bravely entered the water in an attempt to rescue his mother and brother.
“We are all very thankful Samuel is making a steady recovery in hospital.
“Police Scotland would like to thank all rescue personnel who assisted at the scene yesterday, in addition to the many members of the public who offered assistance and support during the incident.”
“Our seas can be extremely unforgiving – even during the summer months – with conditions changing rapidly. I would urge people to be extremely careful when near any body of water.”
The devastating events in Aberdeen come after a woman, in her 30s, died following a rescue operation in Jersey.
It brings the death toll at Britain’s seas this to five, as treacherous conditions plague coastlines.
Others to have lost their lives in recent days include a windsurfer from Essex and Rudy Bruynius, who was with wife Lisinda and their daughter McKayla when they were caught up by a large wave at Fistral Beach on the north-west coast of Cornwall on Saturday.
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