Man dies in Crete while trying to save grandsons

Jonathan Smith was described as a 'kind and considerate family man'

A 60-year-old man from South Lanarkshire has died after saving his two grandsons from being swept out to sea off a Greek island.

It is understood Jonathan Smith, from Carluke, drowned in choppy waters after rescuing the two boys in Crete.

The incident happened at Gouves beach in the north of the island.

Mr Smith worked at North Lanarkshire Council for 34 years and after leaving last year had been working for NHS Lanarkshire.

Anthee Carassava, a journalist based in Athens, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme he had been on holiday with his wife, daughter and two grandsons at the resort.

Choppy waters

"They simply went off for a swim and the two young boys, aged seven and 10, ran into some choppy waters," she said.

"The grandfather got very upset and unnerved and he went in, tried to save them. He managed to pull them out of these choppy waters... but in his bid to actually reach these rocks along the beach, he simply got exhausted and it was impossible for him to get out."

Ms Carassava said that locals, including two waiters, had also jumped into the water to help Mr Smith and his grandsons.

A life ring could be seen on the rocks following the incident

She added that the boys had been taken to hospital where they were treated for minor injuries.

"They saw their grandfather - a hero - effectively saving them but losing his life," she said.

The Cretapost website said life-saving aids were thrown out to Mr Smith and the boys.

A local worker told the website: "We tried to pull him ashore but the currents were very strong and we could not."

'Kind and considerate family man'

Des Murray, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council, said: "The news about Jonathan has been a terrible shock to everyone who knew and worked with him at the council and beyond over many years.

"Jonathan was held in the highest regard, and the work he did to forge long-lasting links and friendships with communities and partners across North Lanarkshire is testament to the passion and tireless dedication he gave to everything he did."

He said Mr Smith was central in developing the council's Syrian Resettlement Programme in 2015, which has assisted a number of families who have fled conflict and provided them with a safe and secure future.

Mr Smith was central in developing the council's Syrian Resettlement Programme in 2015

"He was also pivotal in community engagement and participation, maintaining relationships with many of our local community groups and addressing local needs," Mr Murray added.

"He was a wonderful, kind and considerate family man, who will be deeply missed and all our thoughts are with his family at this time."

Meghan Gallagher MSP formerly worked with Mr Smith at North Lanarkshire Council.

She said: "This is really sad news. He was a lovely man and always did his best to help communities across North Lanarkshire.

"Thoughts are with his family friends and colleagues."

The UK Foreign Office said it was supporting the family of a British man who had died in Crete and was in contact with the Greek authorities.