A Father’s Day outing turned tragic in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as a 33-year-old father lost his life while heroically trying to save his two daughters from drowning.

The incident occurred Sunday evening, June 15, near the B Ocean Resort, shortly after 7:20 p.m., when emergency services received multiple 911 calls reporting a drowning in progress.

According to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, although the city’s ocean rescue team had officially gone off duty at 7 p.m., several responders quickly turned around and rushed back to the scene.

“They were able to turn their trucks around and be the first responders from our fire rescue department,” said Battalion Chief Daniel Moran, speaking to NBC affiliate WFLA.

The victim, Antwon Wilson, entered the water after noticing that his two daughters appeared to be in distress. One of the girls was reportedly struggling to stay afloat when Wilson rushed in to help.

Another beachgoer, Eslam Saad, witnessed the unfolding emergency and dove in to assist.

“I didn’t think about anything,” Saad later told WSVN. “I just jumped into the water.”

Saad managed to reach one of the girls and guided her toward the shore, coaching her to remain calm during the rescue.

“I told her, ‘Please, I know you are in panic. Please, do not do anything crazy, I will try my best to get you out,’” he recalled.

While Saad and lifeguards successfully brought both children to safety, Wilson disappeared beneath the waves and did not resurface.

Rescue teams located and pulled Wilson from the water a few minutes later. Despite immediate efforts to revive him, he was transported to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Saad and one of the daughters were also taken to the hospital as a precaution. Both were reported to be awake and responsive.

“Once I got into the hospital and they made sure I’m okay, I was trying to ask about them. They told me her dad was already gone,” a visibly shaken Saad told WSVN.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is currently investigating the incident, though officials say it appears to be an accidental drowning.