Pictured: 'Selfless and brave' Walsall father who died saving girls from sea

Former bank manager Richard Guest got into difficulties as he helped a second man rescue the girls off the beach at Tywyn in north-west Wales.

The 74-year-old, who was known as Dick, had been walking his dog with his wife Margaret along the beach when they spotted the girls in trouble, his family last night revealed.

Mr Guest went into the water, along with the other passer-by, to try and rescue the girls.

One of the girls came out of the water unaided but the other girl was still in distress, it has emerged.

Mr Guest was about 40 yards out from the shore and was seen holding one of the girls up out of the water in his arms by the time Aberdovey coastguard arrived and managed to save her, his family have told.

He was recovered unconscious from the water by RNLI crews from Aberdovey and airlifted by theWelsh Air Ambulance Service to Bronglais General Hospital in Aberystwyth where he was later pronounced dead.

Family members have paid emotional tributes to Mr Guest who was a father of two and had four grandchildren.

He had been enjoying a weekend break away with his 71-year-old wife when tragedy struck on Saturday afternoon.

His daughter, Mrs Ceri Donovan, last night said: "He was an active man who loved the outdoors, and was at happiest in Tywyn with his family.

"We cannot imagine life without him. He was loved by so many people."

She continued: "Dad was brought up in Bethel, Near Caernarfon, North Wales, and attended Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen. He was a strong swimmer and was used to swimming on that particular part of the beach.

"It was just like him to do something so selfless and brave.

"At the end of the day, he was a family man. He was a great father and a much-loved grandfather. We will miss him terribly."

His 45-year-old son Gareth Guest also posted on the Love Tywyn Facebook page. He said: "Unfortunately my dad drowned after he'd helped save two girls who were in difficulty.

"Everyone has been very kind. He was that kind of person.

"I am going to miss him very much, as is the rest of my family."

Dozens of other messages were left in tribute to the brave Mr Guest. In one, David Jones posted: "It doesn't surprise me Dick would do something heroic like this."

Melloney Daines praised his 'selfless bravery' and posted: "Awfully sad news today bless his heart and God bless him."

Mr Guest had a longstanding connection with Handsworth Rugby Union Football Club (RUFC) near Park Hall, having been a former player and a keen supporter, his family said.

He was also a keen gardener and enjoyed his allotment.

He had worked as a bank manager for the former Midland Bank and later worked for PFA Financial Management in Birmingham.

A statement from North Wales Police said: "He was assisting a second man in the rescue of the two teenage girls when he too got into difficulty. The man was recovered unconscious from the water by a crew from Aberdovey RNLI Lifeboat and attempts were made to revive him at the scene."

He was airlifted to hospital by the Coastguard rescue helicopter but later died. The second man and the two girls were recovered safely from the water and the teenagers were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Lifeboat operation manager Dave Williams, said: "We were called at 3.47pm and told two youngsters had been swept out to sea. There was a rip current that dragged them out to sea and they got into difficulties.

"When we arrived we found a man in the water. We did CPR and then as soon as the Coastguard helicopter arrived he was taken to hospital.

"A member of the public happened to be there surfing and had helped some of the people back to land. They were about 30 to 40 metres away from the shore."