BARMAN Grant Field died a hero when he drowned rescuing a two-year-old boy from a river.

Newlywed Grant and his bride Jess were on the trip of a lifetime around South America when tragedy struck.

The couple, married for just three months, were on a riverboat trip between Bolivia and Brazil when the boy fell overboard.

Brave Grant, 25, jumped in to save him, lifting the child back on to the boat.

But Grant was dragged under by the strong undercurrents of the Madre de Dios river, a tributary of the Amazon. The crew, aware of the deadly currents, did not jump in after him.

Grant's body was washed up on the riverbank two days later.

His brother Mark, 26, of Roman Road, Steyning, said Grant's actions were typical.

He said: "I am so proud of him. If there was one person who would have dived in to save that boy then it was Grant.

"We were very close and I would do anything to get him back."

Debbie Aliaga, the British vice-consul in Bolivia, said: "Mr Field died doing something very brave. The little boy survived and he has to be thanked for that.

"The locals knew how dangerous the waters were but, tragically, Mr Field did not."

Grant's body was taken to the Bolivian capital La Paz for cremation and his ashes were then brought back to Britain.

Mark said: "Jess was in Bolivia on her own and hardly anyone spoke English. It must have been hard and frustrating for her. She did so well."

The visit to South America had long been Grant's dream. He and Jess had been exploring for a month before the tragedy.

A talented artist, Grant grew up in Mile Oak. His last job was at the Paradox nightclub in Brighton.

Parents Jean and Ernie, now of Hardwick Road, Hangleton, were devastated by their younger son's death. Jess, staying with her parents in Essex, was too upset to speak.

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