morning swim at Chaplin Bay.

And an eyewitness last night called for special telephone boxes allowing access to the 911 emergency telephone network after seeing the emergency unfold.

Joseph Orosz, 75, was understood to be visiting with the Danbury (Connecticut) Brass Band.

He was swimming with several family members at the Warwick beach when he expressed discomfort and wanted to return to shore.

Once on the beach he collapsed and an ambulance was summoned and CPR was attempted, begining at 10.45 a.m.

When Police arrived the man was unconscious. Mr. Orosz was pronounced dead at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital at 11.30 a.m.

Witness Charles Spanswick said: "I was out walking on the beach when I saw them working on him. Someone had to go up to Warwick Camp to call the ambulance.

"I think there should be phone boxes for 911 on the beaches so there won't be great delays in getting help,'' he said. "I'm very concerned about this, having seen it with my own eyes. It would be a good thing to have these boxes.''