A former minor league baseball player and ex-police officer has died after rushing to save swimmers in a rip current. The police department for Pawleys Island, South Carolina, said Chase Childers

A former MLB prospect turned South Carolina lawman died a hero after selflessly jumping into treacherous waters to save a family of five from rip current — then was swept away in front of his wife and three children.

Pawleys Island officials said they’re doing everything they can to make the beach a safer place, including buying a new life ring and signs, and launching an education campaign.

Multiple drownings have been recorded in recent weeks along the northeastern South Carolina coastline. Here’s how those numbers compare to previous years, and if rip currents are actually worse in the summer months.