Man dies trying to save boy

A desperate attempt to save a seven-year-old boy from drowning ended in tragedy today when one of the rescuers died in rough seas off Dorset.

The identity of the 35-year-old man who died is not being released until police inform relatives. He comes from Blackpool.

The boy's mother, who dived into the water to save him, was one of three people rescued by a lifeboat and flown by helicopter to hospital.

The child is in a critical condition in hospital. The mother has been released from medical care.

The drama began around 11am at Burton Bradstock, when the child got into difficulties in the sea. His mother, a lifeguard and the 35-yearold man tried to reach him but got into difficulties. The child, his mother and the lifeguard were saved but the 35-year-old was pronounced dead in hospital.