Phil Crow, a 68-year-old grandfather, died while trying to save his 9-year-old granddaughter, who was being pulled out by the sea at a beach in Cornwall, England. According to his family, the man managed to push the girl toward a safe area, but he was unable to make it back and suffered cardiac arrest in the water.
The incident occurred during a weekend marked by high temperatures in the United Kingdom. Phil’s wife was also caught by the current, although she was rescued by a boat passing nearby. Relatives described the grandfather as a “hero” for risking his life to protect his granddaughter.
British authorities warned about the danger of swimming in rivers, lakes, and beaches during the heat wave, after at least nine people died in different water-related accidents that occurred within a few days, including several minors.