British father, 55, drowns while snorkelling with his teenage son on family holiday in the Dominican Republic
- British national drowned while snorkelling with his son in Dominican Republic
- The father, named as Ian Simpson, failed to resurface in choppy waters
- Locals took a small fishing boat out about 1pm and found his body nearby
- He was taken to a local hospital, where his cause of death was listed as drowning
A British national has tragically drowned while snorkelling with his son in the Dominican Republic.
The victim – named in reports as Ian Simpson, 55 – was swimming in choppy waters off the coast of Caleton de Bruno beach in the town of Cabrera when he failed to resurface on Thursday afternoon.
His teenage son shouted for help and rescue volunteers in a wooden fishing boat came to his assistance about 1pm.
Eventually, Mr Simpson’s lifeless body was located in the waters of a nearby beach, El Puerto, and he was hoisted into the boat and taken ashore.
His teenage son shouted for help and rescue volunteers in a wooden fishing boat came to his assistance about 1pm
Mr Simpson was rushed to Doctor Virgilio Garcia Hospital, where medics certified the cause of death as asphyxiation by drowning.
Javier Mendez, who was among the group who helped to bring the tourist ashore, said he was near the beach when a group of men asked him to help with the search.
He said: ‘We knew there was a missing tourist so we went out in a small boat to find him. He was floating on the surface of the water.
‘He was already dead when we brought him into the boat.’
It’s understood Mr Simpson and his family were in the Dominican Republic for a New Year trip.
It’s understood the Foreign Office is providing consular assistance to Mr Simpson’s family.
Eventually, Mr Simpson’s lifeless body was located in the waters of a nearby beach, El Puerto, and he was hoisted into the boat and taken ashore
Mr Simpson was rushed to Doctor Virgilio Garcia Hospital, where medics certified the cause of death as asphyxiation by drowning
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