Hero Brit drowns as he saves 10-year-old boy from swollen river on holiday

A BRAVE Briton died while saving his partner's 10-year-old son and their dog from a powerful river current during a family holiday.

Mark Selby with Mary Anne and her children before he diedSWNS

Mark Selby with Mary Anne and her children before he died

Heroic Mark Selby, 45, was swimming with Mary Anne Cruz and her two sons when the eldest boy was dragged into strong currents in the Philippines.

Mark, a computer programmer, is said to have gone after the boy who clung to Mark's shoulders until a lifeguard from a nearby resort plucked him from the water.

The father of one then pushed their dog Molly towards the shore, but was unable to swim back himself and was swept away.

His body was later pulled from the water near Pagsanjan in Laguna on December 29.

Mark's sister Debbie Poulter, 46, said: "Basically they were all swimming in the river and they all got caught up in the current.

"The chap at the resort watches over the water and he realised they were in trouble. They were caught up in the current.

"Mark had one of the lads on his shoulder and he passed him to the guy who came to help.

He died saving the others

Debbie Poulter, sister

"Then he pushed the dog towards shore, as if to help her out, but then he disappeared under the water. He died saving the others.

"He was very skilled, very clever when it came to computers. His job took him all over the world."

Mark grew up in Stroud, Gloucestershire, before moving to work in the Filipino capital Manila where he met Mary Anne.

He briefly returned home to Britain before Christmas and flew back out to south-east Asia on December 22, intending to make a permanent move to live with Mary Anne.

Debbie said: "He had gone back over to the Philippines on December 22. He decided to go back to buy a house with Mary Anne and her children. She's lovely and he was so happy.

"I think they had gone on holiday together. They'd gone to this resort for a few days." The couple were enjoying a holiday with her two sons - whose names are not known - at the Villa Socorro Agri-Eco Village and Farm Resort around 50 miles from Manila.

Tragedy struck in the Balanac River, which runs through the resort and is patrolled by lifeguards.

The National Bureau of Investigation in the Philippines is conducting an investigation into his death.

The Gloucestershire coroner's office said it had not yet been informed of the death.

Writing on an online work profile, Mark said: "Away from the computer you will likely find me climbing volcanoes, riding horses, swimming, boat riding, cycling, cooking, scuba diving, sampling beer or sleeping."

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