The coastguard was called to Harrington, near Workington, at 0950 GMT on Friday to reports of two men in difficulty.

They found 46-year-old Mark Ferguson had been swept into the sea.

Rescuers managed to hold on to Mr Ferguson's 20-year-old son Liam, who had also been caught by massive waves. The two were taking photographs in the marina area when the incident happened.

Construction workers

The pair were taken to the West Cumberland hospital, where Mr Ferguson was pronounced dead.

Paramedics arrived at the scene and worked to revive Mr Ferguson before taking him and his son to hospital.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "The coastguard received a 999 call from some construction workers in Harrington harbour.

"It appears that the father and son were taking photos when they were hit by a large wave.

"It would seem the son was thrown against some railings on the harbour wall and suffered a broken leg and the father was washed into the harbour."

Rescue helicopter

Liverpool Coastguard sent out rescue teams from Whitehaven and Maryport, and the Workington lifeboat crew went to the scene by road.

A rescue helicopter was also launched from Prestwick, in Scotland.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said the contractors who were at the scene managed to drag Mr Ferguson from the water.

He said: "When police arrived at the scene, the man was still in the water.

"One of the contractors had entered the water with a rope tied around him.

"With the assistance of the police, the man was eventually recovered and treated by paramedics at the scene."