A family have paid tribute to a heroic non-swimmer who drowned, while trying to rescue a stranger from the sea.
Alex Gibson, 22, went into the water on Princess Parade in Blackpool, Lancs, at 4.20am last Friday despite being unable to swim himself.
A major rescue operation was launched involving Fleetwood and Lytham coastguard, Blackpool and Fleetwood RNLI, but tragically Alex lost his life.
The woman was later rescued by lifeboat volunteers and is being treated in Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Now his grieving aunt Kaz McDevitt, 40, has said: "The other person managed to crawl out but Alex couldn't even swim.
"I wasn't surprised that he did it. It wasn't out of character for Alex, because he was such a genuine, caring person.
"I wouldn't expect anything less from Alex. He would put someone else before himself any time.
"He had so many friends, so many people are devastated. He was a great lad, he never missed a day of work in his life.
"We're a very close-knit family. It hasn't quite hit me yet because I'm trying to stay strong for everybody, but I'm devastated."
She added: "I'm not sleeping, I'm not eating, and I'm still going to work because I can't stand sitting in all day thinking about it.
"It will just drive me crazy. Everybody is heartbroken. Alex was just so good. He didn't deserve to die that way.
"He was one of those people you don't meet many of in your life - and I'm not just saying that because I'm his aunt. He was a really genuine, kind person."
The Mirror yesterday told of the rescue and Alex's death.
Curtis Busby worked with Alex at Blackpool's 'C Fresh fish and chip shop' and went out with him the night before he died.
He said: "He was so down to earth and caring.
"He loved animals and even went vegan because he didn't like the ways animals were treated in factories.
"He was always there for everybody.
"If ever I needed a roof over my head or food in my belly he was always the first to help out, and he'd never expect anything back.
"The day we found out, we closed the chippy and we all went out. Everyone's emotions are running high.
"People are tearful. We're all trying to not think about it.
"We want to remember him for who he was and not how he died. But it has shattered everyone.
"He was always smiling. Whenever I came into work he was always the first I'd hear laughing about something.
"The last thing he did was try to help somebody else. That was just who he was."
C Fresh closed on Friday while staff mourned.
A spokesman for the restaurant said: "I'd just like to add Alex was truly an amazing young man.
"All his friends would agree that he was intelligent, hardworking, pleasant, caring, and literally wouldn't hurt a fly.
"He is a true hero, drowned sacrificing his life to help another.
"He was loved by all his work colleagues, and we miss him terribly. Tragically taken at 22. My heart goes out to all his family."
Flowers, buckets and balloons have been placed on the seafront in Alex's memory.
Another friend Hamish Howitt said he was "a true hero" who was "a beautiful, caring, loving, son, brother and friend to all who knew him."
Unity Academy head teacher Stephen Careless said: "Everyone at Unity is incredibly saddened to hear of the death of former student Alex Gibson.
"The actions Alex took were truly representative of his character, always thinking of others before himself."
Others took to social media to pay their respects.
Iris French said: "What a tragedy especially to such a caring man.
"My thoughts are with his family and friends as they try to come to terms with their loss. RIP to a very brave young man."
Julie Sherdley-Davies said: "My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.
"He sounds such a caring person and to try to save someone else with no thoughts to his own safety is very heroic."
A HM coastguard spokesman said: "We attended an incident in Blackpool at that time (the early hours of Friday).
"We received a call from Lancashire police with an update on the casualty, and it was confirmed that he died.
"As it was a fatality, the police will be responsible for dealing with it."
A public memorial service is now set to take place on Saturday (August 7th) at North Pier to remember Alex, starting at 7pm.
Organiser Siobhan Rosie said: "This is a memorial for Alex Gibson; the kindest, bravest soul there ever was.
"He was loved and will continue to be loved by everyone. Give flowers, balloons and bucket hats.
"Let's show Alex the love and how proud we are for saving a life."
A GoFundMe page has been set up in Alex's memory which has already raised more than £4000.
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