A man has died after being swept into the sea while trying to help his son during a drowning emergency at Leentjiesklip Beach in Wilderness.

The incident happened on Saturday afternoon, 24 October, when two teenage boys were caught in rip currents.

Their fathers, who are friends, entered the water in an attempt to save them.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was alerted at 5.31 pm and responded alongside police, emergency medical services and George Fire and Rescue Service.

One of the teenagers, a 14-year-old German boy, reached the beach on his own.

Rescue swimmers and crews launched two rescue craft to assist the remaining three people in distress.

The German father and the local teenage boy were rescued and taken to the beach.

However, the second father, a local man, was found lifeless in the water.

NSRI medics and paramedics immediately began CPR, but despite extensive efforts to resuscitate him, he was declared dead.

The surviving father and both teenagers were taken to hospital, where they are recovering under medical care.

NSRI Wilderness station commander Jonathan Britton has conveyed his condolences to the deceased man’s family and friends.

Police have opened an inquest docket.