A CREW member died yesterday after going overboard from a ship in Newport docks.

The man, thought to be of Cuban nationality and 43 years old, was a crew member on a multi-national freight carrier.

He went overboard as the 18,000 gross tonnage freight vessel MV Jolbos was leaving the docks for the sea at 1pm.

The crewman, who has not yet been named, was picked up by a tug boat, which was assisting the Jolbos, and taken to Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital, where he later died.

The ship, which has a crew of 15, is now docked at Swansea, as it was unable to re-dock in Newport after the tide changed.

Gwent Police and the Department of Transport Maritime Investigation Branch will now be leading a joint investigation into the incident.

Inspector Mark Ryley, of Gwent Police, said: "Our initial investigation indicates he went overboard as the ship was leaving, then he was pulled out of the water by a tug.

"But we will have a clearer picture once the rest of the crew have been interviewed. We have an obligation to investigate this incident as it was an unexpected death, in the same way we would assist the coroner if there were an industrial accident.

"But there is nothing at this time to suggest this man died of anything other than drowning."