Grandad died a hero A Tyneside-born grandfather died a hero's death - trying to save drowning children from the tsunami in Thailand. Brian Clayton, 58, who had moved to Australia, was from Walker, in Newcastle. He was holidaying at his favourite beauty spot when the giant waves struck. Wife Patsy, 57, scrambled to safety but Brian re-entered the deadly waters to help children. His body was discovered the following day by rescue teams on Patong Beach, on the island of Phuket. Today, a devastated Patsy said: "It all happened so quickly. One minute the waters were calm and the next minute he was getting sucked into the ocean. "I ran for safety but he went back in to rescue the children. "He was not only my husband but my best friend and was always by my side. I will miss him terribly." Childhood sweethearts Brian and Patsy were three weeks into a five-week holiday on the idyllic island of Phuket, which they had visited for years. The couple, who have two daughters and three grandchildren, had been married for 39 years. They grew up on Tyneside together but moved to Australia in 1979. Carpenter Brian first discovered the island of Phuket when they stopped over in Thailand on their way back to Newcastle to visit family. They went back to the resort every year, where Brian, nicknamed Nipper by pals on Tyneside, befriended locals by giving them a Newcastle United shirt as a present. Daughter Lindsay, 34, learnt of her dad's death on Monday. She said: "Dad told mum to run for her life, but he decided to think about everyone else but himself." Brian and Patsy lived with Lindsay, their second daughter Bernice, 37, and their three grandchildren Clayton, 15, Todd, nine, and Courtney, seven, in Brisbane, Australia. They met when Patsy was just 14. Brian moved to Sandyford, Newcastle, to be with her, where they lived before emigrating. Patsy said: "We have a lot of fond memories of Newcastle and still have close friends there. That was where we met and where we got married so it's close to our hearts. "We want to thank everybody back in Newcastle for their kindness at this time. It means a lot." Today friends and relatives spoke of their sorrow. Brian's mother-in-law, Nancy Morton, 84, of Heaton, Newcastle, had just received a Christmas card from the couple. Family friend Les Hawthorn said: "It doesn't surprise me that he died trying to help others - that's the way he was."
