A tragic dad-of-two died in front of horrified family members while playing with his children at a coastal beauty spot.
James Smith, 37, got into difficulties in the sea as he tried to retrieve an inflatable that had drifted a short distance from a beach on the Scottish island of Eriskay.
There was no mobile phone signal, so his partner Gina had to run to a road, flag down a passing car and get a lift to a nearby house in order to raise the alarm.
Mr Smith, from Chester, Cheshire, was pulled from the water and given CPR for 90 minutes, but he could not be saved.
The tragedy unfolded on August 20 when Mr Smith, who had multiple sclerosis, was at the beach with Gina, their two children - Jack, 13, and Ruby, six - and his partner's parents, CheshireLive reports.
The family were staying at a holiday cottage on the island in the Outer Hebrides in northern Scotland and had just started a two-week break.
Grief-stricken Gina, who had been her husband's carer for years, paid tribute to him, telling Hebrides News: “James meant everything to me. He was my best friend and a fantastic father to the kids.”
Mr Smith's heartbroken sister-in-law Siobhan Cartledge told CheshireLive that Gina was "in bits" and they had rarely spent days apart in the 15 years they had been together.
She said of Mr Smith: “If he could help you out he would do anything for anyone.
“He would not let it (MS) hold him back. He did what he could. My sister dragged him out at times when he didn’t want to because it was better for him.”
She said it is not believed that his condition played a part in the incident. The family are awaiting the results of a post-mortem.
Gina, her children and her parents are staying on the island until the formalities have concluded.
Islanders have rallied round the family following the tragedy, bringing them food and donating to a fundraising appeal.
Former shop worker Mr Smith, who was diagnosed with MS in his 20s, died while the family was spending the day at a secluded sandy bay next to their holiday cottage on the north-east coast of the island.
Mr Smith's mother-in-law, Jayne Cartledge, said he had gone after an inflatable that had drifted a short distance from the beach.
She added: "He is six-foot, four (inches) tall and the water was only up to his waist.”
There was no mobile phone signal in the small bay, so Gina ran over rough ground to a road and got a lift from passing visitors to a nearby house to dial 999, Hebrides News reported.
One of the visitors was a nurse, who ran down to the beach and performed CPR on Mr Smith.
An ambulance, doctor and three coastguard teams rushed to the scene.
Everton fan Mr Smith was unable to obtain life or travel insurance because he had MS.
Residents of Eriskay have set up a GoFundMe page to cover the costs of transporting Mr Smith's body home and his funeral.
So far the appeal has raised more than £8,000.
Mr Smith's in-laws have praised and thanked locals, who don't know the family, for their support.
Siobhan said: “One of the residents set up the fundraiser. They have been great and have even been taking food round.”
Local resident Catriona MacKinnon set up the GoFundMe page to support Mr Smith's family.
She wrote: "While enjoying a family holiday, James Smith ,37, tragically passed away August 20th in Bun A Mhullin, Eriskay while playing with his children in the sea.
"He was an amazing partner and great friend to Gina.
"Their wonderful children Jack, 13 and Ruby, 6 always made him proud.
"Gina and James were together for 15 years and despite suffering with MS, he always put his family first.
"He loved football and was a lifelong Everton supporter. He was a wonderful family man that was loved by all."
