A grandfather drowned Thursday while trying to rescue his 5-year-old grandson in the waters off Dauphin Island.
The 75-year-old man jumped into the water in an attempt to save his grandson in distress, witnesses told Fox 10.
The child was ultimately rescued by his older brother, Dauphin Island Police Chief Kym Claw told the station.
Efforts by AL.com to reach Claw were not immediately successful.
A surfer and two other witnesses noticed the grandfather struggling in the water. They pulled the grandfather onto a surfboard.
Paramedics used defibrillators in an attempt to revive the grandfather.
The 75-year-old was flown to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.