A 16-year-old boy from Georgia tragically drowned after heroically rushing into a rip current to save four younger children from being dragged out to sea.
Bryce Brooks and an older family friend both died after selflessly jumping into the dangerous rip, with Bryce's parents saying how "proud" they are that their son had "shown up" to help others.
Bryce was enjoying a holiday off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, when he saw the group of younger children stuck in a rip tide on April 6.
He immediately jumped into action, swimming into the strong current to save the children. However, Bryce went under.
Family friend Charles Johnson II went to help the teen, and sadly also died.
Speaking at a press conference, streamed by Fox 5 Atlanta, Bryce's stepfather Shivy said: "The selflessness that it takes for someone to make such a sacrifice, to do so at only the age of 16, we're so proud as parents how our son has shown up in this moment.
"Let it be amplified that Atlanta developed kids that would give up their life for others they didn't even know."
He went on to say: "Bryce is a hero. He literally saved the lives of four kids at the expense of his own and the world should know."
After the incident, life-saving measures were undertaken on the beach before Bryce and Charles were airlifted to hospital, before being pronounced dead.
Bryce's stepfather has reportedly said he died from cardiac arrest. He leaves behind his parents and younger brother.
Charles leaves behind three sons and a wife, according to the Brooks family.
The incident took place near part of the Perdido Key where no lifeguards were reportedly stationed, according to NBC 15 News.
A GoFundMe has been set up for parents Shivy and Crystal Brooks by member of the Get Your Teach On community, which they are reportedly part of.
Over the course of four days, fundraisers smashed the already increased $75,000 target, raising $79,719 at the time of writing.
Organisers said: "Bryce, 16, was a selfless young man full of passion and love for life. Bryce was victim to a strong ocean current in Florida after his heroic action of jumping into the ocean to save a group of younger children out of the current.
"Bryce's actions helped save several lives. We can not even begin to understand the unimaginable impact this has had on their family, friends, and loved ones but know the power of this community."
In an update on April 8, they said: "Please continue to uplift their family in prayers, especially young Christian (6), as he learns of the loss of his brother. Our heart breaks for him and continues to break for their entire family."
Bryce's grieving mother said: "What I want the world to know about our son and Uncle Chuck (Charles) is that one thing is for sure is they loved each other."
She also spoke of the loss, saying: "We're never going to get to see Bryce grow up and be the full man that he was going to be."
