A man died this morning after having apparently been swept out to sea by a large wave at Qawra.

The incident happened at about 10.20 a.m.

The lifeless body of the man,  a Briton aged 69, was lifted out of the rough sea by an AFM helicopter crew and taken to Mater Dei  Hospital.

Lynda Matthews, who saw the incident unfolding, said she had been told that the man was swept out by the sea.

She said she heard the man shout 'help me please help me' in English.

"He was shouting for help. I tried to reach him but the waves were too strong, by the time I got close enough to grab him he was dead so I stepped back. I don't know who he was but I will never forget his face and how frightened he looked taking his last breath. Rest in peace and my hearts go out to his family and friends xxxx," she wrote.

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