A HEROIC dad drowned while saving the life of his three-year-old son after they got into difficulty in the water, his partner has revealed.

David Cole, 30, and his toddler were enjoying a day at the beach in West Mersea with their family on June 11.

But they got into trouble in the water and after saving his son’s life by holding his head above the water, Mr Cole tragically drowned.

His partner Katie Macdonald has now launched a fundraiser in aid of the RNLI crew at West Mersea Lifeboat Station who pulled her loved ones from the water.

Gazette: Support - an air ambulance and the RNLI crew works at the scene in West MerseaSupport - an air ambulance and the RNLI crew works at the scene in West Mersea (Image: Murray MacGregor)

Ms Macdonald, who was on the beach with the couple's other son, aged one, told the BBC: "Dave was amazing. He was the best dad ever.

"He is just a hero. A hero in the sense he put his son before himself and saved his son's life."

Via a GoFundMe page, she added: “The lifeboat team arrived within minutes and did everything they could possibly do for my partner Dave but sadly he didn’t make it and passed away there on the beach.

“My three-year-old son who was in the water with him was beginning to drown but thankfully was got to in time.”

Gazette: Tragedy - an air ambulance lands on the beach in West Mersea last monthTragedy - an air ambulance lands on the beach in West Mersea last month (Image: Murray MacGregor)

Ms Macdonald said apart from suffering with some shock the toddler is “fine and recovered well”.

The heartbroken mother will also be looking to raise money for the children’s ward at Colchester Hospital.

“They were amazing looking after my family [while] dealing with the loss of Dave, and also they were amazing looking after my three-year-old son,” she added.

An air ambulance was called to West Mersea alongside the East of England Ambulance Service and Essex Police during the incident last month.

Gazette: Emergency - David Cole and his son got into difficulty in the water in West MerseaEmergency - David Cole and his son got into difficulty in the water in West Mersea (Image: Newsquest)

The RNLI said its crew was returning from another call at the time when they were asked to assist with a man who was in difficulty in the water at about 6.50pm.

Mr Cole was taken to Colchester Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

You can support Ms Macdonald’s fundraiser by visiting bit.ly/3XTCzew.