BARRY man Peter Hyett has died after a tourist boat carrying 39 people capsized during a seal-watching trip in South Africa.

His wife Suzanne, 63, and her daughter Helen, 37, were also on the boat in Hout Bay, Cape Town, on Saturday.

According to the South African National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the catamaran, Miroshga, capsized near Duiker Island about 3km (1.8 miles) from Hout Bay.

A South African tour guide named as John Roberts also died in the incident, and two other British citizens were trapped in the hull for almost four hours before they were freed by rescuers.

The NSRI said rescuers carried out CPR on Mr Hyett as they took him back to Hout Bay, but emergency doctors and paramedics there could not save him.

It has been reported that the Hyett family had been on holiday in Cape Town since October 1 and were due to return home yesterday (Sunday).

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed the death of a British national, and added: "Our consul general went to the port immediately after the incident and we are providing consular assistance to all those that need it."

An investigation into the incident is being launched and inquests will be opened, the NSRI said.

Vale MP Alun Cairns extended his ‘deepest sympathy’ to Mr Hyett’s family.

And AM Jane Hutt said: “This is desperately sad news and my heartfelt sympathies are with Mr Hyett’s family. Peter Hyett was an exceptionally kind person and he will be greatly missed.”