A former Major League Baseball player died Sunday while trying to save swimmers from a rip tide off the coast of South Carolina, authorities said.

A former MLB prospect who became a South Carolina lawman died a hero after selflessly jumping into treacherous waters to save a family of five from a rip current — and was swept away in front of his wife and three children.

A former minor league baseball player and ex-police officer has died after rushing to save swimmers in a rip current.