A father of six girls drowned trying to save his 15-year-old daughter in Ocean City on Thursday.
The NSA employee and Columbia resident was swimming with three of his girls at the 78th Street beach when they were swept away in a strong current. His 17-year-old daughter made it back to shore on her own. The father was swimming back when he noticed his 15-year-old struggling. He went back for her and both went under.
His 13-year-old daughter floated on her back until she was rescued. The father and 15-year-old were pulled from the water, but both died.
Police say 44-year-old Douglas Martin and his daughters were swimming around 6 p.m. and were drawn very quickly into deeper water.
Family members told 9NEWS NOW that Martin's legacy will be his love for his family. He had been with his wife since high school and she was the only woman he ever dated.
His brother said it was "sad to see their love story end that way."