A cruise ship visitor has suddenly died while at a Southampton beach, police said yesterday.

Officers were called to Horseshoe Bay at around 3pm to assist several people struggling in the water.

When they arrived, they heard that a man had swam out to help a young girl, also a cruise ship visitor, who was struggling in the tide, but soon got into difficulty and also needed help.

A woman then entered the water and helped both swimmers to shore, police said.

The man appeared to be unconscious once brought to the shore, and life-saving efforts were immediately undertaken.

He was transported to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, but was pronounced dead soon afterwards.

The child was also taken to hospital but was alert by the time police and other emergency services arrived.

Police have confirmed that the victim was not related to the young girl he was trying to help.

A postmortem will be held next week.