Body of 'selfless hero' Callum Osborne-Ward, 18, who sacrificed his life to rescue children trapped in rip current found

TRIBUTES have been paid to a hero teenage boy who drowned trying to save family members after his body was discovered today.

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.


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.

The tragedy happened as the family enjoyed the first day of their holiday at a nearby caravan park.

A major search for Callum, from Coventry, was mounted in an attempt to track him down by the RNLI, police divers, the coastguard, Royal Marines and local boat owners.

After four days of searching, his body was found near Lake Pier in Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, just a short distance from where he disappeared five days earlier.

Paying tribute to the selfless teen, his family said: "Callum Baker-Osborne, beloved son of Alan Baker and Ann Osborne.

“Devoted brother to seven brothers and sisters and loving uncle to 21 nieces and nephews. Callum was the life and soul of the family, forever making us smile.

“Our selfless hero who always put everyone’s welfare above his own.

"Now at peace with his Dad and baby. Forever missed and always in our hearts. The family want to thank everyone for their support and messages."

'PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE'

Former GMB presenter Piers Morgan also paid tribute to the tragic teen, writing: “Incredible heroism. RIP Callum.”

Posting his own separate tribute on social media, Callum’s brother, Ryan Baker-Osbourne wrote: “It is with the hardest of hearts and disbelief that I have to say that today they found my beautiful brother and to my sadness it wasn't the way we wanted to find him.”

His mum, Ann Marie Osborne, added: “With the hardest of hearts and disbelief that I have to say that today they found my beautiful boy and to my sadness it wasn't the way we wanted to find him.”

His grandparents previously said that they were “praying for a miracle” when the teenager had still not been found.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "Officers received a report at 3.52pm on Monday raising concern for people in the water off Rockley Park, Poole.

"Officers attended, along with other emergency services, and 10 people received assistance and care.

"Following inquiries, it was established that a further person – 18-year-old Callum Baker-Osborne – was unaccounted for.

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"Throughout the week multi-agency water and shoreline searches continued in an effort to find him.

"At 5.51am today a report was received that a body had been found at Hamworthy pier.

"Although formal identification has not yet taken place, it is believed to be that of Callum. His family has been made aware of this sad news."


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