A 51-year-old man died today after a tragic boating accident on Strangford Lough.
The man was rescued from the water with two children and their father after the dinghy they were in capsized near the Newtownards sailing club.
He was taken to shore unconscious and after failed efforts to revive him he was brought by ambulance to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.
The man was pronounced dead shortly after 1pm.
The alarm was raised at around 11.30am when an instructor from the club spotted the Laser 2000 sailing dinghy overturned in calm waters about a quarter of a mile off the coast.
With the help of crew from an incoming boat, he brought the group back to the shore.
All four were wearing lifejackets but it is understood the 51-year-old man's lifejacket did not inflate.
The two youngsters and their father escaped uninjured but were treated for shock at the Ulster Hospital.
The man's body has been brought to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for a post-mortem examination.
A PSNI spokeswoman said inquiries into the sudden death were ongoing.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has also been informed.
The Portaferry lifeboat, PSNI and the Coastguard all assisted in the rescue operation.
