Georgia teacher, father hailed as hero after dying to save girl from Myrtle Beach rip current

A beloved Georgia elementary school teacher and father died after jumping into the ocean to save a young girl caught in a rip current off Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to authorities and his family.

Derrick Moore, 47, entered the water near 10th Avenue South after a young girl became caught in a rip current at approximately 7:53 p.m. Friday, according to the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

Moore was able to get the girl to safety but was then pulled underwater by the rip current and disappeared, police said.