A HOLIDAYMAKER has died after losing consciousness while diving near Lulworth.

The 52-year-old diver, who was with the Swanage-based dive boat Viper, was reported to have lapsed into unconsciousness on entering the water at around 12.30pm on Saturday.

Another Swanage dive boat, Skua, relayed the mayday call and the Weymouth RNLI lifeboats and Coastguard helicopter responded.

Attempts were made to resuscitate the diver, who was then taken to Dorset County Hospital and was later pronounced dead.

The dive boat returned to Swanage and was met by Coastguard rescue officers.

A police spokesman said: “We received a call at 1.20pm on Saturday to say that a man was being brought in from Swanage by the Coastguard and at the time was unconscious.

“Unfortunately the male died.

“He was a 52-year-old male from the Midlands on holiday in the Purbeck area and his next of kin have been informed.”

John Harvey, lifeboat operations manager in Weymouth, confirmed both the all weather and inshore RNLI lifeboats had both attended as they were already in the area training ahead of the Olympic period.

However, he said the crews had limited involvement in the incident.

Mr Harvey said: “Our involvement was pretty minimal, we responded but by the time we got there I understand the diver was being given CPR and was taken off by helicopter.”

Lifeboat crews were out again in the early hours of Sunday morning after reports of a sailing boat in difficulty off Chesil Beach.

The call came in at around 2.30am and the Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent was also dispatched.

The boat was later located aground on the beach and its occupant, who was found asleep on the beach, was airlifted to hospital.

Mr Harvey said: “We were launched to a report of a sailing boat apparently not under control out towards Moonfleet.

“We eventually found the boat on the beach where the sole occupant had vacated the boat and was on the beach asleep.

“The crew called for the helicopter as we couldn’t land because of the surf and it came along and picked them up.”

Wyke Regis Coastguard Rescue Team was called to assist and they were taken up to Wyke Regis Bridging Camp in a police launch before walking for one-and-a-half hours to the site of the boat.

A spokesman said: “The 74-year-old male skipper of the boat was found safe and well but very cold.

“Weymouth Lifeboat sent a line across to the male and the coastguards to supply them with breakfast.”