A “much loved son, father, brother and friend” who died hours after he was pulled from the sea in Hastings has been named.

Jack Beeches, 34, died at Conquest Hospital after getting into difficulty in the water at around 11.20am on Thursday, October 8.

Mr Beeches, from Lewisham, has been identified by police.

According to a Gofundme page set up by his sister, Mr Beeches was in Hastings for the day with his friend Chris Baguley, an executive chef and operations manager from the area.

Mr Baguley got into difficulty in the water and Mr Beeches went in to help him.

The two men were pulled from the water and received treatment from emergency services at the scene before being taken to the Conquest Hospital, police said.

Both men died at the hospital later that day.

The Gofundme page reads: “I am hating to have to write this, but on October 8 our brother Jack Beeches, aged 34, passed away.

"He was in Hastings for the day with his friends but was due home at 3.30pm to pick his daughter up from school. 

"Sadly that morning his friend got into difficulty in the sea. 

"Jack went in to try and save him but unfortunately didn’t make it.

"Neither did his friend. 

"Jack is a much loved son, father, brother and friend who will be deeply missed. 

"We are trying to raise money to give him the send off he deserves. 

"Any help will be massively appreciated."