A heroic dad fishing with his son drowned after rescuing two children from a lake.
Marvin Alexan Fernandez Chicas, 37, and his three-year-old son Dylan were fishing at Tohickon Creek in Pennsylvania, US, on Thursday when at around 5pm, he spotted the children struggling to swim in the lake.
Mr Chicas was able to bring the struggling children safely to the shore but soon started to struggle himself after the dad "disappeared in the water", according to Wesley Robinson, a spokesperson for the Department of Conversation and National Resources.
The rescued children called 911 and said the dad needed help, according to Fire Chief Harry Grim, from Haycock Township.
Ten divers were involved in the missing person search.
Mr Grim said: "They apparently got in some trouble in the water, he went in to help them. Unfortunately he can't swim. The kids got out, he did not."
Despite best efforts to find the missing dad, his body was recovered 25ft from the shore. The children were unharmed.
Mr Grim said swimming is strictly prohibited in the creek and in the 1,450-acre Lake Nockamixon.
He has advised people not to swim in the area following the tragedy.
He said: "Unfortunately, people don't follow the rules, and the sad reality is it's not a smooth, gradual slope under the water, and they step off into a deep area, they take a gulp of water, and they die unfortunately. It shouldn't happen, but it does.
"Don't swim in Lake Nockamixon," Mr Grim added. 'It's zero visibility this time of year. Divers at 10 feet cannot see their own hands in front of their face."
The Bucks County coroner's officer confirmed on Friday the cause of Mr Chicas' death had been drowning following an autopsy.
The manner of his death also appeared to be accidental.
Coroner Meredith Buck said the office is extending "its deepest condolences" to his family.
Mr Chicas' heartbroken family has set-up a GoFundMe page to send back his body to his mum in Honduras and to help his 3-year-old son Dylan and his wife.
So far, a remarkable $35,000 has been raised out of its $40,000 goal.
The dad was described as "an excellent father, who loved fishing."
The page read: "He was a man who liked fishing and that day he is doing what he liked together with some friends and son, unfortunately he died drowned in the lake giving his life for two children who were also about to drown along with him he became a hero for everyone.
"He died leaving behind his 3-year-old son. Marvin was a very hardworking man, an excellent father, they were always going to see him with his son everywhere, that little one didn't leave his dad's side."
