A RETIRED soldier tried to save a man who drowned in the sea after stumbling on the tragedy during an early morning walk.

Mark Dale, 51, was pulled from the water close to a beach in St Osyth after he was spotted struggling in the water.

The dad-of-three, who lived in Wix, was rushed to Colchester Hospital but later died.

A woman, 40, was also dragged from the sea alive by a retired soldier who then tried in vain to save Mr Dale’s life.

She was later arrested on suspicion of assisting a suicide after paramedics raised concerns with police.

She has been bailed by police until June 26.

An inquest into Mr Dale’s death was opened and adjourned this morning.

A cause of death was given as drowning.

The 61-year-old retired soldier, who asked not to be named, stumbled on the tragedy during an early walk at 5.30am on Friday.

He said: "I was walking along the seafront as the tide was coming in and all of a sudden I come across this lady on her knees in a foot of water crying for help.

"Automatically I ran up to her but it wasn't until I got up close that I saw her fella under the water.

"I used to be in the army but haven't done first aid for ages but it all came back to me.

"I was trying to get her to help but she was so exhausted.

"I was doing CPR for about 15 minutes and a bit of foam came out his mouth and I thought that's a result, he might pull through.

"I carried on for another 15 minutes. I realised I didn't have my phone so I ran back home and called the police and ran back.

"They soon turned up and did CPR again.

"The woman was just laying on the sand and all they could do was keep her warm and she then passed out."

The man added: "I just keep thinking if I hadn't woken up at 5.30am, she would have stayed with him and died herself as the tide comes in really quickly."

CCTV shows the pair arriving at the beach in a small green car at around 1.30am.

They sat inside for half an hour before footage captured them locking it and walking out.

An Essex Police spokeswoman confirmed they would still like to speak to anyone who saw the couple in the time leading up to the tragedy on Friday.

She said: "Police are appealing for information following the death of a man in St Osyth.

"We were called by the ambulance service at 5.40am on Friday, May 13, to a report that a man and a woman had been taken ill on the beach in St Osyth.

"They were both taken to hospital where sadly the man died. Enquiries are continuing into the circumstances of his death.”