Father dies in Bay boat accident

The tragedy is the first since the opening of the bay

A man has drowned and his teenage son has been taken to hospital after the dinghy they were rowing capsized in Cardiff Bay.

Richard David White, 48, of Heol Ty Maen, Bridgend, south Wales, was in the boat with his 16-year-old son.

It is thought they were been rowing from the pierhead jetty towards a larger vessel in the bay when their six-foot boat overturned.

Any sea journey contains risks and every effort must be made to lessen those risks - particularly by wearing life jackets

Coastguard James Instance

The cause of the accident is still being investigated, but neither was believed to ahve been wearing a lifejacket.

A coastguard rescue team from Penarth was called to the scene at 1130BST after a member of the public spotted the father and son in the water and called 999.

A spokeswoman from South Wales Police said: "Contractors who were working on a local building site dived in and attempted to rescue them and a diver who was working in the area aerating the water helped retrieve them."

The Penarth lifeboat went to their rescue and ambulance staff were waiting on shore.

'Tragic outcome'

But the father, thought to be in his mid 50s, was found to be dead. He is believed to have drowned.

His son was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

James Instance, Swansea Coastguard watch manager, said: "We are all very saddened by this incident.

"Despite very little wind with fine conditions and good visibility this journey had a tragic outcome.

"It must be remembered that any sea journey contains risks and every effort must be made to lessen those risks - particularly by wearing life jackets, which unfortunately were not being worn at the time of this incident."