Tragic Sacrifice: Manchester Man’s Fatal Attempt to Rescue Drowning Girls

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A heroic father’s ultimate sacrifice was recounted today by his daughter, who revealed the heartbreaking details of Alexandru Melei’s final moments.

Melei, 60, died while rescuing two children from drowning at Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, after hearing their distressed screams. His daughter, Ana-Maria Barbu, 36, described how her father, visiting friends in the UK, rushed into treacherous waters to save the children.

Alexandru Melei has been lauded for his “heroic selflessness” after trying to rescue two children “in distress” in the water(Image: GoFundMe)

“My parents were walking along the seashore when they heard girls screaming in distress,” Ana-Maria explained from her home in Bucharest. “They were separated from each other in rapidly rising water and panicking.”

While Melei attempted to save one child, his companion rescued the other. Despite immediate CPR efforts, Melei could not be saved. His wife Cornelia, 57, watched helplessly as emergency services struggled to revive him.

The couple, married for 38 years, had just begun traveling after Melei’s retirement from a military medical career. “They were starting to enjoy life after my mother’s recovery from chemotherapy,” Ana-Maria said. “We are devastated.”

Alexandru – pictured with his grandson Denis – was a medical assistant with the Romanian military but was on holiday with his wife when the tragedy unfolded on Sunday(Image: The Mirror)

The incident occurred on Sunday, May 23, around 4 pm, with coastguards, police, and an air ambulance responding to the emergency. The children survived but were reportedly in shock.

Local seafront trader Liarna Holmes highlighted the area’s persistent dangers. “There are no lifeguards, and people don’t understand the risks of offshore winds, currents, and riptides,” she explained. Numerous memorial flowers along the promenade testify to previous maritime tragedies.

Alexandru – pictured with his grandson Denis – was a medical assistant with the Romanian military but was on holiday with his wife when the tragedy unfolded on Sunday(Image: The Mirror)

Ana-Maria has launched a fundraising campaign to repatriate her father’s body to Romania, expressing pride in his lifelong commitment to helping others. “He was a medical assistant in the Romanian military for yearssaving lives was his nature,” she said.

Lincolnshire Police confirmed the tragic incident, emphasizing the man’s selfless attempt to rescue the children.

Alexandru – pictured with his grandson Denis – was a medical assistant with the Romanian military but was on holiday with his wife when the tragedy unfolded on Sunday(Image: The Mirror)

The community has responded with overwhelming support, sending condolences and contributing to the family’s repatriation efforts.

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