Ivan Fisher was found unconscious underwater

Ivan Fisher, 43, from Stalham, Norfolk, went into the water at Sea Palling after one of the boys got into difficulties whilst shrimping by rocks.

The boys, aged about 10, were rescued by kayakers after getting out of their depth while catching shrimps at Sea Palling, between Cromer and Hemsby in Norfolk, on Saturday evening.

Mr Fisher was spotted an hour later by a rescue helicopter as he clung to a buoy rope about 12 feet from the beach, said a spokesman for Yarmouth Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

They just got out of their depth and the tide was coming in at the time, but they didn't appear to be in any immediate danger - it is terrible Coastguard watch officer Bill Austin

Attempts were made to resuscitate Mr Fisher, who was found unconscious underwater, but he died on arrival at the hospital in a rescue helicopter.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident.

A spokesman for Norfolk Police said Mr Fisher's son Josh was later returned to his home in Stalham and the other boy went home to Happisburgh.

Coastguard alerted

The popular beach had been busy during the day with hundreds of families enjoying the hot weather.

The boys were found at around 1930 BST just within an area of sea marked off by buoys for swimming and paddling.

Coastguards were alerted by a snack bar owner at Sea Palling who said the boys were rescued by kayakers while shrimping with nets near sea defence reefs about 50 yards offshore, said the coastguard spokesman.

The father, who was believed to be unable to swim, had been seen going to help the boys but the people in the boats said they lost sight of him.

Father unconscious when found

The crew an RAF Sea King rescue helicopter from Wattisham Airfield spotted the father underwater and unconscious about 100 yards from where the boys were found.

He was recovered by Happisburgh lifeboat, said the coastguard.

Coastguard watch officer Bill Austin said: "The boys were just cold and a little bit frightened.

"They just got out of their depth and the tide was coming in at the time, but they didn't appear to be in any immediate danger - it is terrible."