Dad dies saving son who fell off bridge

A US father has died after saving his toddler son's life.

The three-year-old fell off a bridge and into a lake during the Father's Day weekend, which falls in June in America.

Christopher Franklin Nicholas Schultz, 32, dove into the water at Dead Shot Bay on Detroit Lakes on Saturday night, the Becker County Sheriff's Office reported.

Witnesses said Schultz struggled to keep his son above water.

Onlookers brought the toddler to shore, but his dad didn't emerge.

Schultz was later found by a team of divers and a fisherman at around 9pm. The man was taken to a nearby hospital but died.

His son has made a full recovery.

“The guy sacrificed his life to make sure his kid would see another day," family friend Matthew Clark told CBS Minnesota.

A fundraising page has been set up to assist Schultz’s family with funeral costs.

"I worked with him and got to know him very well," former work colleague Sonny wrote on the page. "I'm sorry we lost touch. We'd have our lunch together and he would always talk about his kids and how much he loved them. I'll miss you Chris."

"I am at a loss for words," commented friend Matthew Clark. "Great Father. A hero. A Great Friend. He helped me through a tuff [sic] time in my life by being a friend to vent to and helped me in so many ways deal with the emotional stress of my custody battle.

"I will be forever grateful. Our community lost a good man."

If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.