Cape Town Capsize: Briton Dies As Boat Sinks

A British man has been confirmed dead after a tour boat capsized in shark-infested waters off South Africa.

The dead man was named in media reports as 64-year-old Peter Hyett, from Vale of Glamorgan in South Wales, who was on a two-week holiday with his wife Suzanne and daughter Helen.

They survived the tragedy at Hout Bay near the city of Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.

"At the moment things are a bit raw. It's been such a shock," Mrs Hyett was quoted as saying shortly after identifying her husband's body.

The family had taken the trip on the Miroshga to go seal-watching off Duiker Island just hours before they were due to fly home.

The body of a second man, South African tour guide John Roberts, was also recovered from the water.

Thirty-six people were pulled from the sea by the crews of other tour boats and rescuers from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

"Several British nationals were also hospitalised following the incident, most of whom have now been released," a Foreign Office spokesman said.

Three women, including two Britons, were trapped under the boat for several hours before they were rescued.

Lynette Hartmann and Bronwyn Armstrong were trapped in an air pocket for more than three-and-a-half hours while police divers gave them breathing apparatus, and emergency coaching in how to use it, so they could swim out from underneath the catamaran's hull

"After much coaching and encouragement and despite one woman initially refusing to shed her life-jacket they were both successfully brought out by the police divers to safety," the NSRI said in a statement.

"All three women were transported to hospital in critical conditions."

South African maritime officials have begun an investigation into what caused the boat to capsize on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Cape Peninsula.

The Miroshga is understood to be operated by Southern Ambition Marine Safaris which describes itself as a whale watching, dolphin and Seal Island tour operator.

On its website it describes the Miroshga as "a light, fast 11-metre dual-hull powerboat with capacity for 42 people offering luxury and comfort".

It adds: "The close-to-the-water ride appeals to those seeking the ultimate marine experience. It offers the best perspective of the wildlife that graces our coastline and panoramic views of the Cape Peninsula."

Duiker Island and nearby Seal Island are the main areas where seals mate off Cape Town, and as such support a large population of great white sharks.