DESPERATE attempts were made to try and save a man who died after falling into Weymouth Harbour.

An eyewitness told how people, including local fishermen, ran to help after the man fell from the quay wall just after midday on Saturday.

He hit a metal pontoon, suffering a serious head injury, and went into the water. It is understood he was caught between the pontoon and the harbour wall.

The man was pulled from the harbour unconscious and attempts were made to revive him.

It prompted a major response from the emergency services who raced to Custom House Quay near the Town Bridge.

Sadly, the man could not be saved and died at the scene.

The man was said to be at the quayside with others when he fell.

Police said today the identity of the man has now been confirmed and his next of kin has been informed.

The man was aged in his 50s and from the Weymouth area. The death was not believed to be suspicious and HM Coroner has been notified.

An eyewitness said: “We had gone to the harbour to collect some crabs from a local fisherman. The man was sitting on the harbour wall with about five or six friends.

“Next thing we heard was a loud crashing sound and someone shout out. Everyone on the harbour looked round, even those on the other side. He slipped into the water and was caught between the harbour wall and the pontoon.

“The fisherman I was talking to ran towards the man to help with three other guys. They struggled to pull him out of the water. They put him in the recovery position, but he wasn’t moving.

“Someone ran into Weyfish to ask if anyone was medically trained and one of the guys came out to assist.

"We were told he was unresponsive."

Sean Cooper, who owns Weyfish, said it was his son James who ran out to help and added there were a couple of fishermen who were hands on as well.

Police, paramedics and coastguards were all alerted, with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance landing on Weymouth Beach.

Dorset Police received a call at 12.23pm to a man needing medical treatment at Custom House Quay.

A spokesman said: “Officers attended along with the ambulance service and very sadly the man was pronounced dead at the scene."

Dorset Marine Police said: “A call was received via coastguard regarding a male who was believed to have fallen into the water on the quayside.

“We attended in company with ambulance, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, the coastguard rescue team, harbour staff and our Weymouth and Portland Police colleagues.

“Sadly, despite the best efforts of all, the man died at the scene.

"The quay was closed to traffic for a short period of time.”

Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team officers were patrolling Ringstead when they got a call to the harbour.

A spokesman for the team said: “At 12.12pm we were tasked to an incident on Weymouth harbourside. A male had fallen from the harbour wall and had been pulled unconscious from the water.

“Due to the nature of the incident, and the impending arrival of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, the full team were paged to attend.

“Once on scene the team co-ordinated their efforts with South Western Ambulance and Dorset Police, assisting with managing cordons and the landing site at the beach for the air ambulance.

“Despite the incredible efforts of all involved, sadly the casualty passed away at the scene.

“Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time.”