British tourist drowns off Italy after trying to save girl
Simon Alessandro Pearson (pictured)Â was killed after attempting to rescue his daughter off the Italian coast
A British company director was killed after attempting to rescue his daughter when she got into difficulty in the sea off the Italian coast.
Simon Alessandro Pearson and a beach worker both died after rushing to the girl's aid at the Bosco Verde beach in Ostuni, in the Puglia region of southern Italy.
The father-of-two, 47, who had been at the beach with his family, was taken by strong currents in the sea after trying to reach his daughter, 10.
It is believed Martino Maggi, 49, managed to bring the girl back to dry land but died after going back into the water to rescue her father.
Mr Pearson's wife Emma Jane revealed how her husband 'did everything' he could to try and resc ue their daughter.
The 43-year-old told The Times: 'They were swimming in the shallows at the beach but the tide pulled them into deeper water.
'Simon held on to my daughter's hand to keep her afloat but he became unconcious. I have two young children who have lost their dad. We are all traumatised.
'My husband worked hard all his life to provide for his family and he has now given his life to save our daughter.'Â
Mr Pearson, from Montgomery, Powys, and Mr Maggi were eventually brought to shore and resuscitation attempts were made but both were declared dead.Â
Simon Alessandro Pearson and a beach worker both died after rushing to the girl's aid at the Bosco Verde beach (pictured) in Ostuni, in the Puglia region of southern Italy
The coastguard rescued others who were in difficulty and said the conditions were caused by strong winds.
Mr Pearson was managing director of Jemsonite, a specialist building materials company based in Bishop's Castle, Shropshire.
A Foreign Office spokesman: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Puglia. Our staff are in contact with Italian authorities.’
High winds are common in the area where the tragedy took place. Reports said the wind speeds were between 10 and 15 knots when the tragedy unfolded.
On July 14, four lifeguards rescued three Russian tourists and an Italian who w ere unable to return to the shore on a nearby beach.
It is believed Martino Maggi, 49, (pictured) managed to bring both the girl and her grandfather back to dry land but died after going back into the water to rescue her father
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