An estate agent from Stockport has heroically saved a woman from drowning whilst visiting his mum in North Wales.
Former lifeguard Tina Powsey was swimming off the coast of Anglesey with her friend last weekend when the pair got caught in the strong current, reports North Wales Live. While Ms Powsey managed to get back to the shore, her friend, Margaret Kinnucane was left stranded in the water.
Austin Mellor – a 25-year-old property expert from Greater Manchester – was out walking in the area when he spotted the women in difficulty.
He immediately jumped into the sea to help, along with two others.
Luckily, they managed to get Ms Kinnucane to safety.
Tina Powsey and Margaret Kinnucane were swimming off the coast of Anglesey / Credit: Geograph (Keith Williamson)
Detailing her account of the terrifying events that unfolded in a Facebook post, Ms Powsey said: “By the grace of God, we’re alive [but] we both very much nearly lost our lives today on Benllech Beach in the sea.
“Mags and I wanted to go out for a little invigorating swim but neither of us realised how rapidly the tide and current moved us out and across.
“Before we knew it, our laughter turned to terror and we couldn’t touch the ground.”
Ms Powsey said she motioned to the “young man across the road” for help – who later turned out to be Mr Mellor – adding: “He didn’t hesitate to climb across the rocks to help.
“My friend couldn’t regain her footing and was going under quickly [but] I managed to roll on my back and float and then began doing a backstroke. I panicked and then a massive peace washed over me for just enough time to control my erratic breathing and get to a point where I could stand.
“It was absolutely horrifying.”
Estate Agent Austin Mellor was out walking in the area when he spotted the women in difficulty / Credit: Edward Mellor Estate Agents
Full of gratitude for Mr Mellor for saving her friend’s life, Ms Powsey said: “Thank God he was there – he literally saved her life [because] I couldn’t make it back out to her, but he did.
“Two other young men quickly followed and they helped pull my friend to refuge on the rocks.
“I can’t get any of this out of my head and tears are falling as I write, but I’ve already read two crazy accounts of what happened and I just wanted to share the reality. The coastguard and ambulances / paramedics were amazing too and we’ll never again take our sea for granted.
“Nightmares will follow, but we’re both alive [thanks to] some brave young men who were there when we needed them.”
Featured Image – Edward Mellor Estate Agents
News
Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival following Glastonbury controversy
Danny Jones
English punk rap duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from an upcoming music festival in Manchester following the recent controversy surrounding their set at Glastonbury 2025.
The media storm surrounding their much-talked-about and heavily televised Glasto appearance has seen them reportedly dropped by their agency and their US Visas cancelled, along with multiple concerts – one of those being right here in Greater Manchester.
Bob Vylan were scheduled to play RADAR Fest at Victoria Warehouse in Stretford this weekend, but now the organisers have informed gig-goers that the artists will not be performing in their planned slot on Saturday.
The alternative music event did provide any additional details, posting nothing but this image:
For anyone unaware, Vylan were heavily criticised for the pro-Palestine chants, which Glastonbury itself has deemed as having “crossed a line”, labelling the chants against the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as antisemitic.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also commented on the situation.
In addition to RADAR, Vylan were also due to appear at Kave Fest in France the following Sunday, 6 July, but the music event has also decided not to host them.
The BBC also opted not to broadcast Northern Irish band Kneecap as part of their coverage this year, as the Belfast rap trio have also been outspoken on the issue, among many other musicians of late.
Responding to the decision on social media not long after the news broke, the act simply shared the post on their Instagram story along with the caption: “Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester, we will be back.”
Trafford Centre launches school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families
Emily Sergeant
A school uniform drive has been launched at the Trafford Centre to support local families ahead of the new school year.
With schools across Greater Manchester soon set to be out for the summer holidays, many parents, guardians, and carers in the region may be looking ahead to the new school year in September, concerned about how they may be able to provide their children with the necessary uniform items needed.
According to a 2020 survey by The Children’s Society, 23% of parents reported that the cost of school uniforms led to their children wearing ‘ill-fitting, unclean, or incorrect’ items.
It’s these statistic that highlight the ongoing pressure faced by families.
This is why the Trafford Centre has partnered with both Manchester South Central Foodbank and local charity, Bridging the Gap, to launch a school uniform donation drive aimed at supporting more than 700 children across Manchester this summer.
The Trafford Centre launches a school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families / Credit: Trafford Centre
From now up until the 15 August, anyone heading to the region’s largest shopping centre is encouraged to donate new or pre-loved school uniforms.
“The cost of living crisis has deeply impacted our community, with more and more families unable to afford the essentials,” commented Emily Jeremy, who is the Assistant Project Manager at Manchester South Central Foodbank.
“As an anti-poverty charity, we recognised the need for school uniform support years ago. Though costs vary between schools, a full set of branded secondary school uniform can total around £150, which is a significant burden for many households.”
All items can be donated at the shopping centre’s Guest Services point / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography | Trafford Centre (Supplied)
Simon Layton, Centre Director at the Trafford Centre, added: “We’re proud to be working alongside Bridging the Gap and Manchester South Central Foodbank to support local families during these challenging times.
“School uniforms shouldn’t be a barrier to education, and we hope this initiative will ease some of the pressure many parents face as the new school year approaches.”
The school uniform donation drive is running up until 15 August.
All items can be taken to the Trafford Centre’s Guest Services Lounge, which is located on Lower Regent Crescent next to M&S, and they must be clean and free from stains or damage.
Emily Sergeant -
29th July 2021 
