‘Heroic’ chippy worker believed to have drowned after entering the sea to help a woman in trouble

A ‘heroic’ chippy worker is believed to have drowned after entering the sea to help a woman who was struggling in the water, an inquest hearing heard.

Alex Gibson, 22, is believed to have jumped into the sea after being alerted to a woman in trouble.

He himself got into difficulties in the water, sparking a major rescue bid from the coastguard and RNLI, the Blackpool Gazette reports.

The woman managed to swim ashore, but Alex tragically drowned.

‘He is a true hero’

C Fresh Fish and Chips, who Alex worked for in Blackpool, paid tribute to him at the time of his death.

They posted: "Alex was truly an amazing young man. All his friends would agree that he was intelligent, hardworking, pleasant, caring , and literally wouldn’t hurt a fly.

"He is a true hero, drowned sacrificing his life to help another. He was loved by all his work colleagues, and we miss him terribly.

"Tragically taken at 22. My heart goes out to all his family."

What will be heard at Alex’s inquest

His inquest, which is scheduled to begin on January 21, will hear evidence from two of his friends, who spent a night out with Gibson shortly before his death.

It will also examine video footage of lifeboat crews’ frantic attempts to save him.

A pathologist, a senior investigating police officer, a female witness, an RNLI lifeguard and two strangers who noticed Mr Gibson in the water and called 999 will also be called.

Coroner Alan Wilson said in a pre-inquest review: "It does seem that sadly, by the time they arrived, (Alex) was not in a survivable position."

They heard that a pathologist had confirmed the medical cause of death as drowning.

Family ‘need to know what happened that night’

But Alex’s heartbroken family said they were seeking answers as to how he came to his death.

Alex’s father, Alexander Gibson, said: "I just need to know what happened that night. We don’t know why, we don’t know how. We want to get through this as soon as possible."

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