British dad feared dead after being swept to sea while trying to rescue drowning son in Mauritius

A British dad is feared dead after he vanished in the sea while trying to save his son from drowning while on holiday in Mauritius.

The 15-year-old boy found himself in trouble on Saturday morning in the Pomponette lagoon, a popular tourist spot in the east African island.

His father, 49, tried to rescue his son but he was swept away by large waves and ended up disappearing, local media reported.

Police were called to the beach and carried out a search well into Saturday night but they were unable to find him.

The teenage boy escaped the ordeal alive.

Mr Marshall had arrived in Mauritius for a holiday with his partner and son the day before.

Weather forecasts showed a storm approaching Mauritius over the weekend.

Local agencies had warned of strong winds and high swell, with three-metre waves expected on Friday.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities.”