A MEMORIAL service was held yesterday for a 56-year-old man who died while saving his wife and son from drowning while on holiday in Florida.

Mark Steven Voigt, of south Harrogate, was chief logistics officer at RAF Menwith Hill, Harrogate.

Mr Voigt drowned after being swept away by currents in the Gulf of Mexico.

The tragedy happened on a beach known as The Panhandle, where currents have claimed more than 40 lives in the past three years.

Neighbour Don Mackenzie said it was typical of Mr Voigt that he would put his own life ahead of others.

Mr Mackenzie said: "He was a very unassuming, quiet man but managed to bring a little American touch to our neighbourhood by organising parties for the neighbours. He was a very considerate gentleman who was very well liked."

His wife, Martha, flew back from the US earlier this week to attend the memorial service at Menwith Hill with one of the family's four sons, Paul. Their other sons are Mark, Greg and David.

Plans are being made by the US government to mark Mr Voigt's heroism with a posthumous award for bravery.

Colonel RD Roberts, US Commander at Menwith Hill, said: "We have received outpourings of sympathy from around the world, including former co-workers, commanders, friends and supervisors."

Mr Voigt joined the Army in 1968.