A 60-year-old man died while trying to rescue his son after he was swept into the sea, police said today.
The men had been fishing on a Cornwall beach when the 27-year-old son was swept into the sea this morning.
But as his father tried to pull him to safety with a life belt, he too was pulled in.
Both men were pulled from the water by coastguards about half an hour later, but the father had died.
The BBC reports that the son's condition is unknown.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the men, who are both from Cornwall, were visiting family in the area and had been fishing at Tregardock beach near Delabole.
The force said they were alerted by the coastguard of an incident at about 8.38am today.
"Two men, a father and son, had been fishing at the beach but as they left, a wave swept the son into the sea," a spokesman said.
"The father threw him a life belt, but as he was pulling him to safety, another wave washed the father into the sea.
"The two were in the water for about 30 minutes before being rescued, but the father was later declared deceased."
The spokesman added: "This is a tragic incident with the quick actions of the father saving his son."
He said immediate next of kin had been informed and the incident will be referred to the coroner.