- George and Louis Selby both died in the accident during their first foreign family holiday
- Father who had never learnt to swim dived in after son who was swept away by a wave
- Horror unfolded in front of boy's mum
By Arthur Martin and Tom Worden
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A British shop manager has drowned in a desperate attempt to rescue his seven-year-old son from rough seas in Majorca.
George Selby, 27, leapt into the water despite being unable to swim after his son Louis was swept off a rocky outcrop by a huge wave.
Both died as the rest of their family watched from the shore of the Spanish island at about 11am on Saturday, during the first full day of their 'dream' first foreign holiday.
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Father George Selby pictured on his wedding day last year with his wife Abigail and their three children Dylan, left, Louis, front row and Mitchell, right. George and Louise both drowned in the terrible accident
Louis was standing on a 55-step stone stairway cut into rocks overlooking a small deserted cove when he was hit by the large wave.
One report claimed that moments before, Mr Selby had been taking photographs of his son by the rocks, a popular spot for holidaymakers to take dramatic snapshots with waves crashing in the background.
After Mr Selby jumped in, Louis's mother Abigail, 31, ran to a nearby hotel screaming for help. Lifeguards from the hotel ran to the scene but were unable to save father or son.
Louis Selby was swept off this rock platform in Cala Antena while his father George was taking his photo. The 28-year-old died trying to save his seven-year-old son who also drowned
The father and son drowned off the Majorca coast, pictured
Witnesses said they saw Mr Selby shouting for help and waving his arms in the air while in the sea.
Police officers and paramedics arrived minutes later but by then the pair, from Hornchurch, Essex, were already dead.
Manuel Gordini, 23, witnessed the drama from the beach, where he works as a chef in a bar.
He said: 'It was horrific, the worst thing I've ever seen. The lifeguards managed to get the bodies on to the beach but it was obvious they were already dead.
'The mother was hysterical, crying. It was very upsetting. It was raining so there was almost nobody on the beach at the time.'
The sea conditions on the day at Cala Antena, a series of coves on Majorca's south-east coast, had been poor, with a red flag flying on the beach warning bathers not to enter the sea.
A red flag was raised at the time of the incident, warning visitors not to swim in the sea, pictured
Last night a police source on the island said: 'It is a terrible tragedy. It appears the young boy was swept from the rocks by a large wave, and the dad naturally dived in to try to save him.
'The sea was ferocious with very strong waves crashing on to the rocks. When it's like that those stairs are extremely dangerous. The staircase really should be closed off when the weather is like that.'
Yesterday Mr Selby's best friend, banker Graham Klerks, 31, said: 'George going out into the sea to rescue Louis is him down to a tee. The tragic thing is that George could not swim but I honestly can't imagine him standing by the side and watching his son drown. For whatever reason he had never learned to swim. It's so tragic. You could not ask for a more decent guy than George.
'He had been stressing about going abroad for the first time.
'It was very much their dream holiday – they normally went away to Clacton-on-Sea. This was their holiday of a lifetime.'
Resort: George Selby and his family were staying at Cala Antena in the south east of the Spanish island
Tragic: The Foreign Office confirmed the deaths of the two Britons
Mrs Selby's older sons from a previous relationship, Mitchell, 14, and Dylan, 12, were also on the family holiday, along with her niece Olivia, ten.
Mrs Selby, a barmaid, was yesterday being treated for shock, and family members have flown out to lend their support.
Mr Klerks added: 'Abigail is holding it together for the kids as best she can but it must be incredibly hard right now.
'George loved all three of his boys so much. He and Louis were alike in so many ways.
'He was also very kind and generous. The family were working hard to make a better life for themselves.'
Last night Mrs Selby's sister Melissa Silwood, 33, of Romford, said Mrs Selby had been left 'feeling numb' by the deaths.
She said: 'My sister Abby is devastated, she can hardly talk. Louis was a mischievous little boy but he was always happy. He was always laughing and joking.'
Louis's grandmother Christine Selby last night paid tribute to her 'truly heroic' son, and her grandson, whom she described as 'our little bear' in a statement released by the family.
Mr Selby met his wife eight years ago after she moved into the house next door. They soon became an item and went on to marry last year.
A Foreign Office spokesman said consular assistance was being provided to the family.
The tragedy comes less than a fortnight after British expat Brian O'Dwyer, 66, died as he tried in vain to rescue his five-year-old granddaughter Lara Lewis, who was swept out to sea by a freak wave in Portugal.
Spanish TV show beach in Majorca where father and son died
I can't believe some of you are slating him for being unable to swim. He was on a family holiday taking pictures. Actually, its the DM, so I can believe the heartlessness.. It was rough seas, against rocks. Swimming ability or not, that is exceptionally hard to deal with on your own, let alone while trying to save your young child. Such an awful tragedy. That man died a hero and should be respected as such. RIP to both of them and God bless their loved ones.
- Paul, Uk, 03/9/2012 01:53
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