Father dies in Bay boat tragedy

It is not clear what caused the dinghy to capsize

An off-duty police officer has told how he tried to save a father who drowned after the dinghy carrying him and his teenage son 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 when the tragedy occurred on Friday.

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

He had gone down and they said that water was so cold and so dark. They tried to have a look for him but they just couldn't get him out

Eyewitness Gary Pullenl

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

A coastguard rescue team from Penarth was called to the scene at 1130BST after a group of builders working on a nearby building spotted the father and son in the water and called 999.

"By the time the boys could get to them because of a gate being locked, it was too late to do anything for the father," said construction worker Gary Pullen.

"He had gone down and they said that water was so cold and so dark. They tried to have a look for him but they just couldn't get him out."

Eyewitness: Builder Gary Pullen

A spokesman for South Wales Police said contractors working on a nearby building site and an off-duty police officer who was passing by dived in and attempted a rescue.

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

The father was found to be dead, but his son was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and treated for shock.

PC Jason Hassall, 24, said he was walking along the waterfront when he saw a group of builders running into the water.

He rang 999 and then raced after them, catching up just as they had swam out and pulled the teenager into the shore.

He said: "They told me that there was one more under the water, so I stripped off and dived in.

"I must have gone down under the water two or three times but it was so black in there I couldn't see a thing."

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

Coastguard James Instance

Fortunately, a boat with diving equipment on board approached and a diver joined the search and located the father.

"He was hauled to shore but he had no pulse, he wasn't breathing and there was no sense of life," the policeman said.

"I started chest compressions and a fireman was doing mouth-to-mouth. Then the ambulance people came down and took over."

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."