David Young, 27, drowned despite the efforts of a fisherman who jumped into the River Don, in Rotherham, but only managed to save the girl.

Mr Young's body was swept downstream and was later recovered by a police diver.

The 17-year-old girl was taken to hospital but released following treatment.

Mr Young, of Hatherley Road, Rotherham, had been walking along the riverbank behind the Parkgate Retail Centre with his girlfriend on Thursday evening.

He saw the girl struggling in the water and dived in, but soon got into difficulties himself.

Chief Inspector Gary Blinkhorn, of South Yorkshire Police, praised Mr Young's bravery.

He said: "It appears he sacrificed his own life to save her.

"He was a very, very brave man indeed who spontaneously, and without a thought for his own safety, jumped into the river to save this girl."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident.