A PROMISING young rugby player from Essex died after he had broken his neck in a "tragic" seaside accident.Andrew Dunsire, of Station Road, Wrabness, had been critically ill in hospital after he was injured when he dived into shallow water at Dovercourt on Sunday, July 20.

A PROMISING young rugby player from Essex died after he had broken his neck in a "tragic" seaside accident.

Andrew Dunsire, of Station Road, Wrabness, had been critically ill in hospital after he was injured when he dived into shallow water at Dovercourt on Sunday, July 20.

Mr Dunsire was with a group of friends when the accident happened off Wick Lane at about 5.45pm.

The 20-year-old played as a hooker and prop for Harwich and Dovercourt Rugby Club.

Last year Mr Dunsire had trials for Eastern Counties Rugby at Under-21 level.

Kieran Coyles, the rugby's club's secretary said last night: "It is very sad and tragic news for his family and everybody at the club are thinking of them at the moment."

He received first aid and help from friends and an off-duty lifeguard from Dovercourt Swimming Pool, before he was taken by ambulance to Colchester General Hospital.

He was later transferred to Oldchurch Hospital in Romford where his family gathered in a bedside vigil as he remained in a critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

Mr Dunsire was yesterday moved into the intensive therapy unit at Oldchurch hospital when his condition deteriorated.

Last night a spokeswoman issued a statement to say he had died during the afternoon.

After the incident at the beach near Wick Lane, Essex police investigated but concluded it had been a "tragic accident".