Customers at Aberdeen’s seafront cafes were “sombre” and “saddened” by the tragic events of the weekend.
Martin Vicca, manager of the Inversnecky, said the mood had been “very downbeat”.
He added: “It has been a topic of conversation and people have been very sad to hear of it.
“I am quite horrified that something like this could happen on such a beautiful day.
“I have been here for 20 years and I cannot recall anything like this ever happening before.
“It is a terrible tragedy to see people losing their lives.”
Mr Vicca said the first he knew of the unfolding incident was when he heard police sirens.
“Just across the road, approximately 40 yards from us, there were people in the water,” he said.
“As far as I’m aware the boy had gone into the water and the mother went in after him and they got into difficulty.
“People reacted very quickly and tried to help them.
“The first police car arrived and the officer was straight out and into the sea.
“They reacted very well and very quickly.
It was a beautiful afternoon so there were a lot of people around.
“But it was not just a question of people standing and watching what was happening.
“People went into the water and two people are in hospital because of it.
“Sadly, by that time, it was just too late. The time you have to react is very short.
“The nature of the sea wall over there is such that there is a slope followed by a five or six foot drop.
“If they were there and went in at that point, they wouldn’t have been able to get out of the water without help.
“It is very sad – a terrible accident. I have never seen anything like this happen here before and I hope never to see this happen again.”
Vincent Conale, of the Washington Cafe, said: “It is an absolute disaster for the family. I am the longest-serving member of staff here at the beach, I have been here for 64 years, and I have never seen anything like I saw yesterday.
“I was amazed by the amount of police cars and ambulances – I have never seen so much activity here in all my life.
“The crowd was right along the front looking.
Suzi Millard, owner of the Sanddollar Cafe, said they had been quieter than usual on Sunday morning.
“People have been sombre and it has been very quiet,” she said.
“I think people have been reflecting on what has happened.
“Normally Sunday morning is our busiest time but it was much quieter today.
“People have been saying what a tragedy it is and how they feel for the family.”
