HOLIDAYMAKERS were left stunned yesterday after a pensioner was pulled from the sea and later died.

James Hore

HOLIDAYMAKERS were left stunned yesterday after a pensioner was pulled from the sea and later died.

The 75-year-old man got into difficulties near to Walton Pier and was dragged from the water just before 11.30am.

Essex Air Ambulance was called and people were cleared from the beach so the helicopter could land and then fly the pensioner to hospital.

It was confirmed later that the man died a short time after arrival.

It is not known at this stage why the man got into difficulties or if he had suffered from health problems while in the water.

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “The man was found in the water and there were a lot of people in the area at the time so it was quite upsetting.

“The air ambulance was called and the beach was cleared, but unfortunately there was nothing that could be done to save him.”

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: “We were phoned by the ambulance service at 11.25am. A man in his 70s had been pulled from the water and was unwell.

“It was near to Pier Approach and we assisted with the landing of the air ambulance and he was taken to Colchester General Hospital.”

She said a file would now be passed to the Essex Coroner but confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious.