British holidaymaker, 58, drowns off Spanish coast while on holiday with wife

Emergency services were called by the woman to the popular Cap Sant Pere beach on Spain’s east coast just before 3pm on Tuesday afternoon, after her 58-year-old husband was seen struggling in the water.

Police officers and a lifeguard from a nearby hotel rushed to the man's aid before an ambulance arrived.

Despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ambulance crews also treated the victim's wife after she suffered a panic attack.

A yellow flag had been up while the man was in the sea, signalling that bathing was permitted but that caution should be exercised.

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The man, whose identity is not yet been revealed, is believed to have gone into cardiac arrest while in the water.

It remains unknown how he got back to the shoreline.

The nearest lifeguards were at neighbouring Vilafortuny Beach, as there is no lifeguard service at Cap Sant Pere outside of the high season.

Local media reported the lifeguards were not alerted to the emergency but raced to the scene when they heard the siren.