Couple drowns trying to save pet dog

Married for more than 40 years, Daniel and Patricia Cyr were in a small boat on Hampton Ponds, Massachusetts, with their beloved dog, Sady, on Monday night when the accident happened.

According to investigators, it is believed the dog jumped overboard and Mr Cyr, 64, went to Sady's rescue. But when he himself got into distress, his wife, 61, jumped into the water to help her husband. 

Neither was wearing life jackets, The Boston Globe reported.

Other boaters heard their screams for help and called 911 at 6:23 p.m. on Monday.

Mass Live said the couple were pulled from the water and taken to hospital but died. The dog survived and is in the care of family.

As police try to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy, the couple's son, James Cyr, spoke of his parents love for each other.

He said the exact circumstances of how it happened may never been known, he told wcvb.com.

"My mom and dad loved each other for more than 40 years. There’s no way she was going to leave him," said James Cyr.