An Oswestry man who dived into the sea to rescue two girls in an effort which saw another man die will be presented with the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.
Stephen Adams will be given the award, alongside the family of Richard Guest, from Walsall, West Midlands, who died in the rescue attempt and is being posthumously honoured.
Both men went into the sea to help when they heard screams at a beach in Tywyn, Gwynedd, in July 2015. The girls were being carried away in a rip tide.
The pair managed to save one teenage girl, who Mr Adams led to safety, but 74-year-old grandfather Mr Guest stayed behind in search of a second girl who had, unknown to them made her way to the shore.
Mr Adams then discovered Mr Guest face down in the water and he was later pronounced dead in hospital.
The committee said: “Both men demonstrated unselfish courage. Neither man knew the two girls yet were willing to risk their own lives to ensure the safety of two strangers.”
Reacting to news of the medal, Mr Adams said: “I am humbled and honoured to receive the Queen’s Gallantry Medal. I would like to take this moment as an opportunity to remember that Mr Guest lost his life trying to help others and to reflect on how merciless the sea can be.
