A boy of 15 drowned after being swept out to sea despite his brother jumping in to try to save him.
His 21-year-old sibling was today in a "serious" condition in hospital but is expected to survive.
The tragedy happened yesterday evening during a family camping holiday.
The youngsters, who have yet to be named, were fishing with two friends on slippery rocks on the Gower Peninsula, near Swansea, when the 15-year-old was suddenly swept into the sea by a "huge wave".
His brother dived in after him and managed to hold his hand as they were tossed around by the water.
But a strong tide and winds separated them.
One of their friends ran for help but it was 10 minutes before he found a couple with a mobile phone and was able to alert emergency services.
The younger brother was winched from the water by helicopter but died on the way to hospital.
The 21-year-old was picked up by lifeboat.
Steve Jones, who led the coastguard rescue, said: "They were fishing on the water's edge when the youngest boy was swept into the sea by a huge wave.
"His brother then jumped in to save him.
"An offshore wind dragged them out to sea and they ended up around half-a-mile out.
"I know they were together for a while. The brothers were holding hands at one point but couldn't keep together.
"Sadly the youngest boy died. His brother swallowed water and had hypothermia but he will be OK, although he will be very distressed."
The brothers' two friends had thought about jumping in too but decided that one would keep the boys in sight while the other ran for help.
Mr Jones said they did the right thing, adding: "Unfortunately, because they were in the middle of nowhere, it took 10 minutes to find a young couple with a mobile phone who rang 999.
"Within 34 minutes we had them both out of the water.
"We are all very sad that this poor boy has died but at least one life was saved."
The youngsters were fishing in an area known as Bluepool Corner, a secluded beauty spot that can only be reached by foot.
A South Wales police spokesman said: "We responded to reports of two males in the sea at Llangennith at around 8.20pm.
"They were taken by helicopter to Morriston Hospital where one of the males, aged 15, was pronounced dead.
"The other male, aged 21, remains in hospital."
The brothers, believed to be from Liverpool, were on holiday with their parents at Llangennith.
Fellow campers said they were regulars at the farmland campsite which overlooks the beach.
One, Phil Davies, said: "Everyone is very shocked and saddened by what has happened to the boys.
"They are very well-known and have been coming here for years. It is such a tragedy.
"The brothers were very close and we always saw them playing together. The elder boy was so brave to try to help."
The waters are said to have been very choppy, which locals say would easily have knocked someone off a rock if they were standing in the wrong place.
Swansea Coastguard said it had called out the Rhossili Coastguard rescue team, the Loughor independent rescue boat, Burry Port RNLI inshore lifeboat, the Tenby RNLI all-weather lifeboat and a rescue helicopter.
Spokesman Will Parfitt said: "The coastguard recommends that anglers who are fishing on their own close to the water's edge and from an unstable platform, such as rocks, should wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.
"If you are undertaking activities at the coast it is advisable to have a means of communication in case of emergency."
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