A father-of-two died on Christmas Eve while trying to rescue his pet labrador from a raging river.
Primary school teacher Nick Mutton, 46, was with his family at an Asda store in Newton Abbot, Devon, getting last-minute supplies for Christmas, when his dog ventured into the river near to the store.
Mr Mutton, who taught Year 2 pupils, tried to get to the dog but was swept away. His dog managed to escape from the water with assistance from a member of the public.
Three police officers and several firefighters managed to drag Mr Mutton from the river from a footbridge and perform CPR.
He was taken by air ambulance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he fought for his life for hours, but died later that afternoon with his family by his side.
Friends paid tribute to Mr Mutton on Facebook.
One said: "My thoughts go out to all family and friends of Nick Mutton, who's been my friend since the 'Ship Quiz Days', taught my daughter at Cockington School and has been an inspiration for many other children. You will be missed, but you have left an indelible mark on many."
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "It's going to be a coroner's investigation supported by the police into what we perceive to be a tragic accident."
Martin Bignel, a local resident, tweeted that the river, which runs at the end of his road, had been 'about 7ft higher than usual' on Monday evening as a result of the persistent rainfall.