A 20-YEAR-OLD medical student tragically drowned after swimming to rescue three struggling women a popular UK beach.
Jack Edward Lees was an aspiring brain surgeon who joined a university trip to Bude, Cornwall, in June last year.
He went with Bristol University Student Union’s Wild Swimming Society and stayed in campsite in a field just north of Northcott Mouth beach.
When a few of the students went to enjoy an evening swim, brave Jack spotted three panicking girls struggling in the sea and swam 500m out to help them with a friend.
Jack, unable to make it back to shore as bigger waves set in, and he tragically drowned after the his heroic actions, an inquest heard.
Jack’s heartbroken mum Dr Dawn Lees said her son had been an “amazing young man.”
She said: “Jack never had the 21st birthday party he had been planning in our garden.
“Instead of birthday cards for him we received condolences.
“I want him to be remembered for the three girls who would likely be dead if it was not for him.”
