A British holidaymaker was pulled dead from the sea off a remote South African beach as rescuers raced to save him.
The 47-year-old tourist had been swimming off the Cape Vidal nature reserve beach on the Indian Ocean coast on Sunday when he was spotted struggling to stay afloat.
NewsflashThe Brit holidaymaker had been swimming off the Cape Vidal nature reserve[/caption]
Local media reports, which have not named the victim, say wildlife rangers spotted him getting into difficulties and alerted the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
Rescuers say he had been on an organised tour to the reserve when he swam out to sea and could not get back.
Rescue spokesperson Craig Lambinon said: “An NSRI rescue vehicle, carrying NSRI rescue swimmers, and towing an NSRI rescue craft, responded and joined Ezemvelo Wildlife rangers on the scene.
“A man, aged 47, a British tourist, was recovered from the surf zone by NSRI rescue swimmers.
“Sadly the man was found to be deceased.
“The body of the man was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.”
They added: “It appears that while on an arranged tour to Cape Vidal Nature Reserve the man reportedly went for a swim at the beach where he was observed to be in difficulties in the surf zone and the alarm was raised.”
Police are investigating the death ahead of an inquest.
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