An Aberystwyth maintenance worker has spoken of how he tried to rescue HaRav HaChossid Yissacher Dov (Barish) Englander z”l, who tragically died after getting into difficulties while swimming on Aberystwyth’s North Beach, as was reported on YWN.
Rav Englander, a 47-year-old Rabbi from London, was on holiday in the town along with his family and other members of the Chasidic Jewish community, who traditionally visit the area each August.
It is understood Rabbi Englander was bathing in the sea roughly opposite the Glengower Hotel at about 7.50am on Thursday, 2 August, along with several other members of the community, when he got into difficulty and became unconscious.
Chris Tapp, 33, was on his way to work on Thursday morning, when he saw an elderly couple trying to get the life-belt out of a box, and into the sea, to help the Rabbi.
Mr Tapp, a maintenance worker with Gwalia Housing, said: “I was opposite the court building on the promenade when I saw them.
I got out of my car to help, and then I saw a group of Jews who were shouting in total panic.
“I saw a man in the sea some way out – it looked as though he was trying to doggie-paddle to shore. I went to help with the life-belt, and tried to throw the life-belt towards the man.
“But the sea was so rough that the life-belt was catching the top of the waves, so it was coming back very quickly.
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