Heroic Maine father drowns while trying to save his daughters, ages 12 and 13

A Maine father died after drowning in deep water while trying to save his two young daughters, ages 12 and 13, who were struggling to swim in a pond.

Henry Brooks, 46, was spending Saturday with his family at Seven Tree Pond in Union, Maine, when one of his daughters fell into deep water while swimming.

His second daughter, who was already in the water, tried to grab the first, but the currents dragged them into an even deeper part of the pond.

Brooks, of Hope, and her 27-year-old son ran to save the girls in the water at Ayer Park after hearing their cries for help.

Henry Brooks, 46, and his family were spending the weekend at the pond (pictured)

The 27-year-old, who grabbed a life jacket, was able to catch his sisters and bring them to a nearby pier, but when he searched for his father, he could not find him.

A dive team later located Brooks’ body about 50 feet offshore at 7:30 p.m. The water was six feet deep, according to the Maine Surveillance Service.

Brooks’ daughters and son were taken to PenBay Medical Center for observation following Saturday’s ordeal.

Brooks’ body was taken to Halls Funeral Home in Waldoboro.

The local community came together on social media to pay their respects to the father, who died saving his family.

One person wrote: ‘Wow super sad… what a great dad to risk his own life to save her… that’s a true hero… rasp… Condolences to the family.’

Another person added: “Prayers and my deepest heart felt condolences to the families of this brave man.”

A third added: ‘This is very sad. The son with a life jacket managed to save the sisters from him. The father and brother were both heroes.