A HOLIDAYMAKER has died after getting into difficulty while swimming in the sea.

The 64-year-old German man, who was on holiday with his wife, was swimming off the coast at Sandsend, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, when he got into difficulty.

A passer-by called for help and the Humber, Scarborough and Redcar coastguards were alterted, as well as an RAF rescue helicopter.

Two lifeboats and a police plane were also involved in the operation.

The man, who has not been named, was unconscious when he was winched from the sea, and he was taken by helicopter to Scarborough Hospital, where he later died.

Humber coastguard manager Mike Bill said: "This enforces the fact that the sea remains a dangerous place and people should not swim in adverse conditions, no matter how good a swimmer they think they are.