A HERO dad has drowned trying to save his 16-year-old son after the boy was swept out to sea during a fishing trip.

A rescue chopper monitored the water while locals patrolled the ground alongside lifesavers as they desperately tried to find the dad and son, who disappeared during their trip in Murray Mouth, South Australia on Saturday.

Thankfully, the boy managed to swim safely back to shore and was rushed to hospital.

His dad was later pulled from the water unconscious and could not be revived.

Local Max Partington told 9News the community was "feeling" for the young lad.

"Really selfless act from his father and tried his absolute best. We feel for him today," he said.

Fisherman Peter Cucontis said: "I'd do the same. It's your child, I'm not sure he realised how dangerous it was."

He added: "It's a pretty tight, close knit community and it'll have a huge impact, definitely.

"When you go to the mouth where the Murray [River] empties there's a massive rip and its strong and people just don't realise how deadly it is."

Another person said the boy was in tears and had no idea what was going on.

Police were called to Sugars Beach at 8.40am Saturday morning after locals reported the father and son as missing.

Surf Live Saving South Australia said the incident was a sad reminder of the dangers beaches pose, particularly when the seas are rough and unpredictable.

"This is a beach that has you know rips and a particular environment, but we ask people to swim to your abilities. If you're not comfortable go in between the red and yellow flags," a spokesperson said.

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