HOPE AGAINST HOPE
Grandparents of hero teen missing after saving family from rip tide reveal they are ‘praying for a miracle’ in search
THE grandparents of a hero teen feared to have drowned while saving his family from a rip tide have said they are "praying for a miracle".
Callum Osborne-Ward, 18, was dragged away by a ferocious current on the Dorset coast after lifting his nieces and nephews onto a rescue boat.
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He became separated from his mum Anna and sister Samantha as they hoisted the last of ten children - aged six to 15 - onto the vessel on Monday afternoon.
Searches at Rockley Point, near Poole harbour, continued today but with no sign of Callum, from Coventry.
His grandparents Brian, 76, and June, 77, said they had not given up hope that Callum would be found safe and well.
Begging search crews to keep looking, Brian said: “We are trying to stay optimistic - that’s all we can do.
“I know it’s been a couple of days but there’s always a chance.
“We are praying for a miracle that he is alive and that someone comes across him soon.
“I’ve heard of these things happening before where people are found against the odds.”
'NOT GIVING UP HOPE'
He continued: “All we can do is hope. We just want people to keep looking for him.
“Until we’ve got that positive proof then you just never know.”
Callum's brother Ryan Baker-Osborne, thought to be his twin, also said he he was "not giving up" until he was brought home.
He posted on Facebook: "My twin, my best friend, my right arm.
"I know you're still out there so I'm not giving up until you get brought home.
"Keep fighting you soulja, we all love you and we all want you to keep pushing until we find you.
"We are all keeping our hope's high a miracle can happen."
We are praying for a miracle that he is alive and that someone comes across him soon.
Grandad Brian
The family had been swimming on the first day of their holiday at Haven’s Rockley Park resort, where they had hired five caravans.
They had been in shallow waters near a cove when they were dragged out by a “freak” current.
Ryan, who was also on the holiday, said: "My mum, [half-brother] Pat, Callum, Samantha, Cameron and loads of the kids were playing nice in the sea and a big current pulled them all out.
"All the adults and Cameron used everything they had to get the kids and keep them afloat until a boat got to them. My mum was hardly breathing.
"Samantha couldn't do it any more and Callum tried to keep [the children] up but got disconnected from them."
'OBVIOUSLY NOT SAFE'
At their home in Coventry, Brian said he was "confused" by what had happened.
“They were in this cove and told to stay by the wall,” he said. “If there was a current around there, why were people allowed there?”
“Surely there should be warning signs to stay well away. But they were told it would be fine if they stayed by the wall.
“I can’t understand how people can be in an area like that. It’s obviously a dangerous area so people shouldn’t be anywhere near it, it’s obviously not safe there.”
June added: “Nobody knows exactly how he disappeared. The adults used all their energy to get the little ones safe.
“Callum is the kind of boy who would put other people first ahead of himself.
“He is a very loving boy, always cuddling his mum.”
'LOVING BOY'
June told how the family were “so excited” for their holiday after spending months cooped up during the pandemic.
She said the family had already endured tragedy after Callum’s dad Alan died suddenly in his sleep aged 49 in 2016.
June said: “They are a really close family and they always go on holiday together. They couldn’t wait to go after the last 18 months.
“They will support each other regardless of what happens.”
Dorset Police received a report at 3.52pm on Monday raising concern for people in the water off Rockley Park.
Emergency services attended and ten people were checked over by the ambulance service, with three of them taken to hospital as a precaution.
Land, sea and air searches are continuing for Callum, with rescue crews including the RNLI looking for him.
His family said they were “overwhelmed by the generosity of members of the public” who have donated clothing, shoes, blankets, food and drink.
A GoFundMe appeal has raised more than £1,100 - doubling its £500 target.
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Rugby-mad Callum is described as white, five feet five inches tall and with short brown hair.
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He has the word ‘Dad’ tattooed on his chest and was wearing blue swimming shorts.
Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police quoting incident number 26:523.
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