TWO Brit siblings who drowned in a holiday horror off the coast of Spain have been named and pictured as heartbroken relatives pay tribute.
Ameiya, 13, and her younger brother Ricardo Junior, 11, tragically lost their lives while swimming at Llarga beach, near Tarragona, during a family trip to Salou.
Ameiya, 13, and Ricardo Junior, 11, tragically drowned in holiday horror off the coast of Spain
GettyTheir dad, who had entered the water alongside them, was rescued[/caption]
The pair – affectionately known to their loved ones as Maya and Jubs – were swept away by fierce currents as their devastated dad tried to save them.
Despite desperate attempts by emergency crews, the siblings from Erdington, Birmingham, could not be saved.
Their aunt, Kayla Jasvinder Del-Brocco, revealed the heartbreaking moment the tragedy unfolded.
“They went out to swim together with their dad as they loved the beach,” she said.
“Mum said ‘don’t be long’ and took her little one to the bathroom.
“She came back out and couldn’t see anyone. That’s when the nightmare commenced.”
Kayla described Ameiya as “athletic, driven, motherly with her siblings, sarcastic and unique,” while calling Ricardo Junior “kind, loving and helpful.”
“He wanted to be a YouTuber and would do anything for a few quid. He doted on his mum,” she added.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to support the grieving family, set up by cousin Holly Marquis-Johnson to cover the costs of repatriation and funerals.
Holly wrote: “During what was meant to be a joyful family holiday in Salou, Spain, Ameiya and Ricardo Junior, lovingly known to their family and friends as Maya and Jubs, heartbreakingly lost their lives in a tragic incident at sea.
“Two beautiful, bright, and deeply loved children, taken far too soon. The pain their family is feeling is unimaginable.
“This fundraiser has been created to help ease some of the financial burden the family is now facing, covering the costs of bringing Maya and Jubs home to the UK and giving them the dignified farewell they deserve.
“We know that no amount of money can make this right. But together, we can help carry some of the weight.”
The children’s GoFundMe appeal has already raised more than £3,000 of its £15,000 target.
Ameiya and Ricardo’s haunting final photo showed them smiling on the sand just hours before the tragedy.
Local officials confirmed a yellow warning flag was flying at the time to signal rough sea conditions.
But lifeguards had clocked off at 8pm — with the alarm raised just before 8.50pm.
Their dad, Ricardo Sr, bravely dived into the water in a desperate attempt to save them, but all three were quickly overwhelmed by the waves.
Rescuers dragged them back to shore and carried out CPR.
Ricardo was resuscitated, but the children could not be revived.
Chief Inspector José Luis Gargallo of the local police said: “When the officers arrived, there were three people with significant difficulties in getting out of the sea.
“All resuscitation manoeuvres were performed on the children, but without success. We did everything possible.”
A police officer who leapt into the sea, Younes A, described the rescue attempt, saying: “We were told when we helped get that person out that another two people were in the sea who could be minors.
“We tried to locate them, saw bits of clothes and seconds later were able to locate and get a young girl out of the water and began resuscitation.”
Authorities said the family had been staying at a nearby hotel, with Ameiya and Ricardo in the water with their dad while their mum Shanice was inside with their three other children.
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Getty Images – GettyA GoFundMe page has been launched to help the children’s grieving family[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
