A man who drowned after rescuing a four-year-old from the sea was hailed as a hero last night.
Witnesses said the unnamed 32-year-old dived in despite red flags warning of dangerous currents when he saw the child struggling in a rubber ring.
But the man, who was not related to the youngster, had a heart attack and drowned just 16ft from the shore moments after delivering the unharmed child to safety,
Emergency: A helicopter lands on West Wittering beach to attend a man who drowned trying to save two children who had gotten into trouble in the sea
Tragedy: Witnesses at West Wittering beach, where a 25-year-old man drowned while going to the aid of two children who got into difficulty in the water
Tribute: Flowers laid at West Wittering beach to the man who died attempting to rescue two children
The youngster’s mother was distraught as rescuers fought to save him on the beach at West Wittering in West Sussex.
Lifeguards pulled him from the water and gave him first aid before a doctor and paramedic were flown on to the sand in an air ambulance.
Despite their efforts, the man, who is believed to be from Sutton, Surrey, could not be saved.
One witness said: ‘They were pumping water out of his lungs. When the helicopter landed people were still optimistic.
‘But sadly nothing could be done to save him and he died right there on the beach. He died a hero.’
A bouquet of flowers was yesterday tied to a post close to where the accident happened at Saturday lunchtime.
Richard Pike, who has a beach hut nearby, said lifeguards had frantically tried to resuscitate him for 40 minutes.
The 50-year-old lawyer, from nearby Chichester, said: ‘I saw two ambulances, a police car and coastguard rushing to the beach.
‘The lifeguards hadn’t seen him struggling in the water but had been alerted by a shout for help and dragged him in.
'They gave him CPR for 40 minutes before the air ambulance turned up, but they couldn’t resuscitate him.
‘The man was apparently way beyond the lifeguard patrolled area. He was in the red flag area where there is a strong current.’
The man’s death was one of six water fatalities as people bathed to cool off during a weekend in which temperatures soared to 10c above the average for June, with the mercury hitting 28c (82f) in some places – hotter than parts of southern Europe and Africa.
Packed: Thousands flocked to West Wittering beach to make the most of the good weather
Day out: People enjoy the sea and sun
Danger: Signs at the beach warn of strong currants
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