A MAN died after he and his partner's six-year-old son were swept out to sea by freak currents.

Tony Christon was paddling with the youngster on the island of Jersey when the tragedy happened.

Surfers and swimmers risked their lives to try and save the pair, who had been sucked out to sea by powerful currents.

It is thought the boy, Bryn, was knocked over by a large wave and as Mr Christon, 46, tried to reach him, the pair were dragged out into deeper waters.

The youngster was rescued by a surfer, who brought him to shore on his board. He was rushed to hospital, where he has made a full recovery.

Efforts to revive Mr Christon, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

Swimmer Dag Veiby was with friends only yards from where Mr Christon, his partner, Hannah, and Bryn had been sitting on St Ouen's beach.

"I went for a swim in the water and noticed the undercurrent was quite strong as I was coming out," he said.

He noticed the pair paddling at the water's edge as he came out of the sea.

Minutes later, he realised something had happened after he heard screams.

Mr Veiby put on his flippers, mask and snorkel and swam out to try and save them.

He said: "A guy tried to swim out, but he couldn't because of the currents and turned back. Two guys on surfboards came across and one managed to get hold of the boy. The other guy on the board reached the man before me."

Between them, Mr Veiby and the surfer held Mr Christon's head out of the water and tried to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

"They were quite far out when we reached them," said Mr Veiby. "The under current was very strong, it whipped me off my feet."

Moments later, lifeguards, who were stationed farther down the beach, arrived in an inflatable boat and took them to shore.

Further efforts were made to revive Mr Christon before the ambulance arrived.

Jersey police have launched an investigation.

A statement released by Mr Christon's family said: "The family of Anthony Robert Christon would publicly like to thank, in particular, the surfers and swimmers who came to his and Bryn's rescue.

"We would also like to thank the lifeguards, ambulance crew, hospital staff and police for all their efforts."

"Tony was a Duke of Edinburgh Award examiner. He would not have taken untold risks because of his vast experience and responsibility."

The family hope to arrange a memorial service at St Mary's Church, in Thirsk, in the next few weeks.

Mr Christon remained the managing director of the Carlton Lodge Activity Centre, an outdoor activity centre in Thirsk, despite having moved to Jersey more than a year ago.

He travelled to North Yorkshire twice a month.

In 1991, he led the centre to an award, which was presented by the late Queen Mother at St James' Palace.

He was also behind a £200,000 project to create an indoor recreation area, with a sports hall, function room and changing facilities, to benefit youngsters from across the North-East and North Yorkshire.