A 59-YEAR-OLD man has died after falling and hitting his head on rocks at Penarth beach.

The man, named as Kevin McCarthy, was from the Bettws area in Newport, and was with his son when he fell at around 5.15pm on Friday (July 9).

Emergency services, including paramedics, police and fire service personnel, RNLI and coastguard teams, rushed to the beach - but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Swansea Coastguard watch manager Dave Hughes, said: “We received a report that a man had fallen approximately 10ft onto rocks and had hit his head.

“Initial reports suggested he was unconscious but when crews arrived at the scene the man was already dead.

“He had fallen directly onto his head and suffered severe trauma, with bleeding from a head injury.

“The man’s son was with him at the time and was inconsolable.

“It’s a tragic incident.”

Police in Penarth are investigating the death but it is not being treated as suspicious.

A file is being prepared for HM Coroner, and an inquest was expected to be opened and adjourned yesterday (Wednesday).