A 72-year-old British tourist who died after being swept away by strong currents at the Kariega main beach at Port Alfred has been identified, Eastern Cape police said on Tuesday.

“The victim has been identified as Peter Copping of Poringland , Norwich, England,” said Captain Mali Govendor, adding that the police and the British embassy would assist the family.

Copping died on Monday after going out to the Kenton-on-Sea beach with family and friends at around 10am.

Two of the people he had been swimming with exited the water before they realised that he and a 47-year-old woman were in trouble.

The woman was rescued while Copping was swept away by the current. His body was later spotted about 10 metres from where he had drowned.