A woman who sadly lost her life after getting into difficulty in the sea in Redcar last week has been named as her devastated family pays tribute to her.

The family of 57-year-old Debby Tarantino have paid tribute to her life after she tragically died when she got into difficulty in the sea in Redcar on July 26.

Emergency services including the air ambulance were spotted at the scene near the Majuba Road car park following reports of a woman in difficulties in the water.

Read more: Woman dies after drowning incident in sea off Redcar coast

However, Debby sadly died after she was taken to hospital.

Debby, who worked as a call taker in Cleveland Police’s Force Control Room has been described as a “friend to many” who will be missed by all who knew her.

In a heartbreaking statement, the family said: “We are truly devastated by the loss of our beautiful Debby. Debby was a much-loved daughter, mother, sister, nannie and partner who will be greatly missed.

“Debby was a friend to many and was loved dearly by her colleagues in the Force Control Room at Cleveland Police.”

Her death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Debby’s family are being supported by specially trained officers as they ask for privacy at this extremely difficult time.

At the time, a spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “Police were called after concerns were raised for a woman seen in the water near to Majuba Road in Redcar around 7:15pm on Wednesday, July 26.

“The woman was taken to hospital by ambulance service colleagues but sadly later died.

“Our thoughts remain with the woman’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

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A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We received a call to 999 at 19:11 this evening to concerns for a person in the water near Majuba Road car park in Redcar.

“We sent a clinical team leader, two emergency ambulance crews and the air ambulance.  We transported the patient to James Cook hospital by road with support from air ambulance colleagues.”