LANIER Co. – A father lost his life Saturday while saving his daughter from a river.

Cary Russell Self, 44, died while trying to save the life of his three-year old daughter from the waters of the Alapaha River. They were attempting to cross the river and were caught by the swift current, according to Georgia DNR.

Self never resurfaced. His body was recovered later from the water.

“The day before Mother’s Day, a father made the ultimate sacrifice to save his daughter in Lanier County. My deepest heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to the entire family. I am truly sorry for your loss on this Mother’s Day weekend,” said Lanier County Sheriff Nick Norton.

Georgia DNR, Lowndes County Dive and Recovery Team, Georgia State Patrol (Divers), Lakeland/Lanier Rescue, Lanier County Sheriff’s Office, Lanier EMS and others responded to assist in the incident.