Hero beachgoer saves girl from drowning off Grange Beach but father dies

A heroic 70-year-old has told how he rushed into waters off Grange Beach to save a young girl and her father from drowning – but tragically the dad later died. Picture: 7 News

A hero beachgoer has told of how he came to the aid of a girl struggling in waters at Grange Beach, in an incident which cost the life of the rescued girl’s father.

Michael Napper, 70, said he felt compelled to take his boogie board out and help the girl when he noticed she had jumped off an inflatable tube about 11am Thursday.

“I had to, she was crying, she was very upset,” Mr Napper told reporters.

Mr Napper said the girl’s father tried in vain to save his daughter.

Michael Napper stepped in to help when a man drowned at Grange. Picture: 7NEWS

“But it was too deep … the water was above his head,” Mr Napper said.

He said the girl calmed down when she was taken to shore on Mr Napper’s board.

“By the time I got to him (the man), he was underwater.”

Paramedics and police were called to the waterfront at Grange responding to reports of the drowning.

A Seaton man, 49, had been pulled unresponsive from the water.

Police said the victim was trying to rescue his young daughter who had begun to struggle in the water.

Paramedics and people on the beach began CPR almost immediately but the man could not be saved.

He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are now preparing a report for the coroner which will assess the cause of the man’s death.

Police and paramedics at the scene at Grange this morning. Picture: 7NEWS

A father has died after trying to rescue his young daughter from drowning at Grange beach. Picture: 7NEWS

His death comes less than a week after as 71-year-old man died while trying to save two women who were struggling in the water at Waitpinga Beach.

Last Sunday, just after 5.10pm, the man was pulled from the water after trying to save the two women who are believed to be related.

He got into trouble in the waves and needed rescuing himself.

The death is the latest in a horror start to the year on South Australian beaches and waterways.

Amy Staunton, 17 died after falling from a house boat while celebrating New Year’s Eve near Swan Reach on the River Murray.

The teenager’s body was pulled from the water on New Year’s Day near where she fell into the river at Marks Landing.