British man dies after boat capsizes off South African coast

A British man died and two British women were rescued after being trapped underwater for three hours when a charter boat taking tourists on a seal-watching trip capsized off the South African coast.

The dead tourist was named locally last night as Peter Hyett, 64, from the Vale of Glamorgan. He had been at the end of a two-week holiday with his wife and daughter, who were also on board, said Cape Town spokesman Wilfred Solomons-Johannes.

It is believed the the Miroshga, a catamaran, was hit by a huge wave. It had been carrying 41 British, French and South African passengers from Hout Bay, near Cape Town. A crew member was also killed. Local fishermen and other charter boats helped to rescue the dozens of tourists within minutes.

The two British women, who are being treated in hospital, were able to reach air pockets under the upturned craft.

They were found when rescuers heard tapping from the hull of the boat as they searched for bodies.

"It was obviously a terrifying ordeal for them, but they should now start to recover," said Craig Lambinon, from South Africa's National Sea Rescue Institute.

Divers were yesterday attempting to recover the body of a third man, who is missing presumed dead.