Bulgarian Dies Saving British Kid from Drowning - Report

A man who drowned after rescuing a four-year-old from the sea has been hailed as a hero. Photo by Daily Mail

A Bulgarian man, 32, has sacrificed his life to save from drowning a little British child on the beach at West Wittering, West Sussex, local media reported.

The man's identity has not been revealed, but he is believed to be a Bulgaria.

Witnesses say the man was at the beach with a girl. He plunged into the water when he saw a four-year-old being swept out to sea on an inflatable boat.

He managed to pass the child to other beachgoers but was dragged under just five yards from the shore by powerful currents and drowned.

Lifeguards' efforts to revive the man were in vain.

"He died a hero. It was the ultimate sacrifice," one witness told The Sun.

Natasha's dad Ben, 52, also on the beach, said: "I really admire him for what he did."

Richard Pike, who saw Saturday's tragedy from his beach hut, said: "The man was in the red flag area where there is a strong current.

"He was way beyond the lifeguard patrolled area." Lawyer Richard, 50, added: "The lifeguards gave him CPR for 40 minutes before the air ambulance turned up but they couldn't resuscitate him.