Brit tourist, 52, & another holidaymaker drown off Costa Blanca beach after diving in sea to save two children

TWO people including a British holidaymaker have died after trying to rescue two children who were in difficulties in the sea at a Costa Blanca beach.

The 52-year-old rushed into the water to aid the youngsters, aged six and seven, along with others.

But he ended up losing his life alongside a Polish Good Samaritan aged 46.

Two other people were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties following the drama earlier today. Their nationalities are not known.

It was not immediately clear this afternoon if the British man, believed to be a tourist, was in any way related to the children.

The double tragedy occurred around midday at La Roqueta beach in Guardamar de Segura south of Alicante during gusting winds of up to nearly 40mph.

The two men lost their lives just a day after another man, a 68-year-old Israeli national, drowned at the same beach.

The local mayor suspected a full council meeting after being informed about the latest incident.

Up to eight people are said to have tried to aid the stricken youngsters who were rescued unharmed, and confusing local reports initially pointed to all eight drowning.

A Civil Guard source confirmed one of the dead men was a 52-year-old Brit.

He said: “Two people lost their lives. One was British and the other Polish. They were both trying to help two young children who were in difficulties in the sea. The sea conditions were pretty bad.”