A GRIEVING woman’s fundraiser set-up to thank those who tried to save her partner’s life has surpassed £5,000 in donations.

David Cole was on holiday with his family at West Mersea beach on June 11 when he got into trouble in the water.

The 30-year-old and his son got swept out to sea by a rip tide and after saving his son’s life by holding his head above the water, Mr Cole tragically drowned.

Katie Macdonald, 27, was on the beach with the couple’s other son, aged one, at the time of the incident.

Gazette: Hero - David Cole drowned while saving his three-year-old sonHero - David Cole drowned while saving his three-year-old son (Image: Katie Macdonald)

The mum of two said: "Not being able to do anything, feeling helpless, was so hard – it was horrible.

"One moment David was right in front of me with the water only around his waist.

"But then in a flash a riptide swept him out to sea and he was in a lot of trouble.

"The lifeboat crew were really good at splitting themselves between being with my partner and trying to resuscitate him and then looking after my three-year-old.

Gazette: Tragic - Katie Macdonald said David Cole was 'the best dad ever'Tragic - Katie Macdonald said David Cole was 'the best dad ever' (Image: Katie Macdonald)

"My three-year-old son could have drowned as well if it weren’t for them."

A paddleboarder and two lifeguards were the first to try and help the dad and son before the RNLI crew at Southend arrived just minutes later.

Paying tribute to Mr Cole, Ms Macdonald described him as “the best dad ever” who “only wanted to have fun with the kids”.

She said: "He's a hero. A hero in the sense he put his son before himself and saved his son’s life."

Gazette: Emergency - an air ambulance arrives at West Mersea during the incident in JuneEmergency - an air ambulance arrives at West Mersea during the incident in June (Image: Murray MacGregor)

Ms Macdonald is now raising money for Colchester Hospital and the RNLI , which has received more than £5,200 in donations since it was set up on July 8.

Rick Boreham, a volunteer lifeboat operations manager at West Mersea RNLI, said: "The station’s volunteer crew is really touched that she has set up the fundraising page.

"Katie is cordially invited to visit the station anytime and will receive a warm welcome."

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