Man dies trying to rescue dog from sea in Essex Published duration 10 April 2017

image copyright Terry Joyce/Geograph image caption The man got into difficulties in water off Lee-over-Sands, near Brightlingsea, Essex

A man died after trying to rescue his dog from the sea, police have said.

The 59-year-old "got into difficulties" off the coast at Lee-over-Sands, near Brightlingsea, Essex, on Saturday.

PC Paul Rawson, from Essex Police's marine unit, said: "We were called by two Jet Ski riders who saw the man in trouble off the side of his boat. At this time of year, the water can be much colder than you'd expect."

The dog was rescued by one of the sea scooter riders, PC Rawson added.

The tragedy prompted the unit to tweet a warning about cold water shock, an involuntary response to being suddenly immersed in cold water.

PC Rawson said: "Cold water shock can shut your body down within a minute or two. You can't breathe and your muscles stiffen so you can't swim."

The RNLI said cold water shock is a "leading cause of death that many people fail to appreciate".

The man was taken to Brightlingsea once he had been pulled from the water.

He was pronounced dead at 16:00 BST, police said. A file is being prepared for the coroner, a spokeswoman added.