A BRAVE grandfather from Clanfield drowned trying to save the life of his son's father-in-law, who also died off a beach on the Florida coast.

Bill Thomas dived in to rescue American John Tully after he began shouting for help as treacherous currents in the Gulf of Mexico dragged him out to sea.

As their wives watched from the beach, Bill (60) desperately tried to reach John (59), who disappeared beneath the waves before he could get to him.

Mr Thomas, a senior manager with a water company, then vanished as he too was sucked under by the powerful rip tide currents.

He was found floating off Opal Beach near the town of Pensacola, in north-west Florida.

He was airlifted by helicopter to hospital where he later died.

Since Bill's son Richard (31) married John's daughter Kara, also 31, four years ago the pair had become close friends.

Bill and his wife Carol (52) were on a two-week break at their holiday home in Pensacola when the tragedy happened.

The couple had bought the home next door to John and his wife Donna, from Bon Aqua, near Nashville, Tennessee.

They had got together for a few days to mark Richard and Kara's fourth wedding anniversary.

Computer programmer Richard and Kara were at their home in Bon Aqua when their fathers drowned.

The couple, who got married after meeting on the internet, have travelled to Florida with their two-year-old daughter Kayleigh to comfort their mothers.

Bill's 29-year-old son Mike, from Chichester, West Sussex, paid tribute to his father's bravery.

Mike, a technical support engineer, said: "It is what I would have expected him to do for John.

"It was extremely brave and I'm sure he jumped into the water without a moment's thought. His priority would have been to save John.

"My father was a very strong swimmer but the rip tides off the Gulf of Mexico can be lethal.

"Since my brother married John's daughter they had become the very best of friends.

"After they met, John introduced dad to fishing. They loved nothing more than going off on a fishing trip together.

"They had become very close and for Christmas one year John gave my father fishing gear with his name on it.

"When a holiday home came on the market next door to John and Donna's a couple of years ago it seemed like the natural thing for my parents to buy it.

"Dad's actions in trying to save John were typical of him. A few years ago dad spotted a motorist at the side of the road who had suffered a heart attack.

"People drove by and ignored what was happening. My father was the only one who stopped to help him, and that was typical.

"He was a very good, kind and caring man.

"I have spoken to my mother several times and she is absolutely devastated by what happened.

"She is adamant that there were no red warning flags on the beach at the time and that is something she intends to pursue with the authorities out there.

"My parents loved it in America and would visit their holiday home three times a year.

"When dad retired they hoped to spend six months of the year here and six months in Florida.

"The part of the beach where it happened is especially quiet and that's why they went there.

"It's a really idyllic spot with sugar-white sand. It is tragic that the spot both my parents loved will only hold the saddest memories for my mother."

Firefighter Anthony Santoro said that by the time rescue teams arrived at the scene roofing contractor John had been pulled from the water.

While attempts were made to revive him rescuers managed to haul Bill to the shore.

Mr Santoro said the currents were so strong he feared for his own safety.

He said: "It could have been my time. The waves were crushing. It was almost like the ocean was alive."

He and other rescuers swallowed so much salt water in the rescue attempt they needed a hospital check-up.

Emergency services in the area blamed a tropical storm, nicknamed Allison, for creating the deadly rip tide currents which claimed both men's lives.

On the day of the tragedy another tourist died and 10 others nearly lost their lives along the same stretch of coastline.

US Coastguard Richard Mahoney revealed the currents can drag a swimmer out to sea in seconds while sending incoming waves crashing down on them.

He said: "It is a lethal combination. Strong currents pull the water away from the beach as strongly as the waves come in."

Bill and his wife had been married for 30 years and he was due to celebrate his 61st birthday this week.