Hero forced to choose between saving girl, 9, and man who drowned in reservoir

A brave hero saved a nine-year-old girl from drowning in a reservoir, and desperately tried to help another man who had jumped in.

Tragically Carl Storer, 21, died at Chasewater Country Park, in Burntwood, Staffordshire, on Sunday.

Friends and family have paid emotional tributes to Carl, who police said was trying to save the young girl.

The girl was pulled from the reservoir by care assistant Thomas Vale, 24, who jumped into the water when he saw her and Carl struggling.

He was able to get the youngster to safety, and went back to rescue Carl.

Flowers left at the scene of Sunday's tragedy in Burntwood, Staffordshire (Stoke Sentinel/BPM Media)

Mr Vale told the Express & Star: "I had to get the little girl first, she was just a baby.

"I wish I had got him first too but I couldn’t.”

He stated: “I went back for the lad – I saw him vaguely in the distance but he kept disappearing."

Mr Vale described the water as "black" and said he dived into the water again and again looking for her - but wind and waves made it "impossible".

In a tribute to Carl, his family said: "You were a really good brother and you will be deeply missed by family and friends. Rest in peace and fly with the eagles. You will always be loved."

His body was recovered from the water after emergency services were called at around 6pm.

Sgt Fay Mills, of Staffordshire Police, at the scene where Carl died (Stoke Sentinel/BPM Media)

A fundraising campaign has been launched in Carl's memory on Facebook .

Sharon Cherokee Drummonds posted: "So going to miss you Carl, you really was a great kind and loving young man, you would help any one. I love you. 

And Mello Robinson wrote: "We all miss you and you were a good friend to me."

Another pal posted: "RIP Carl Storer you will be missed and ur family and friends love you so very much fly high bro we miss you loads."

Sergeant Fay Mills, from the Lichfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Carl's family are receiving support from specially-trained officers and our thoughts are with them at this time.

Police say that the 21-year-old man was trying to save the schoolgirl (Stoke Sentinel)

"We are working with partners to establish the circumstances of his death and a report is being prepared for the Coroners.

"We have an increased officer presence at the park today to offer reassurance and we would encourage everyone to avoid swimming in open water for their own safety."

She earlier told the BBC: "What we believe so far is a nine-year-old girl was struggling in the deep water.

"A 21-year-old male has tried to support and save her. Tragically he's lost his life in doing so."