A British shop manager and his 7-year-old son drowned to death after the father, who was unable to swim, jumped into the ocean in a bid to save his son after a giant wave swept the boy away, according to news sources.
George Selby, 27, and his son Louis were on vacation with their family in Majorca, a Spanish island, taking pictures at a popular tourist spot by the ocean when Louis was dragged off to sea by a wave. George immediately jumped in after his boy while Louis’ mother Abigail ran to a nearby hotel screaming for help. The rest of the family looked on helplessly.
Although police officers, lifeguards, and paramedics arrived just minutes later, the two were already dead when their bodies were pulled out of the water. The sea conditions on the day were poor, and beaches had warning signs telling bathers not to enter the sea.
Selby’s best friend, banker Graham Klerks, said, “George going out into the sea to rescue Louis is him down to a tee. The tragic thing is that George could not swim but I honestly can’t imagine him standing by the side and watching his son drown. … It’s so tragic. You could not ask for a more decent guy than George.”
He added that this was the family’s “dream holiday.”
The family released a statement to pay tribute to “truly heroic” George and Louis, “our little bear.”
