Holidaymakers are being urged to heed safety advice after the fourth death this year on the Broads involving a boater not wearing a lifejacket.

In the latest tragedy yesterday evening, paramedics confirmed a holidaymaker from Sheffield, on his 30th visit to the Broads, had a fatal heart attack as he was attempting to moor his 42ft cruiser under Acle Bridge.

Passing kayaker David Croft found Anthony Crampton, 66, clinging to a rope in the water and managed to pull him to the back of the Summercraft boat Grecian Girl where family members dragged him back on board.

Phillip Hannon, manager of the nearby Acle Bridge pub, used first aid skills in a vain attempt to revive him, but an East of England ambulance crew confirmed him dead.

It is understood that Mr Crampton, who would have celebrated his 67th birthday yesterday, had stepped on shore to moor but fell in as the fast-flowing tide pulled the bow of the vessel out into the River Bure.

The spot under the bridge is not a formally recognised mooring and has no posts or rings to attach ropes to. .

Expressing his condolences to the family yesterday, Broads Authority water safety manager Steve Birtles said the tragedy raised important safety issues as the peak holiday season got under way.

He said: 'A key message is to use formal Broads Authority moorings with proper facilities and it is vital to always wear a lifejacket when working on deck.'

When mooring up, it was important to quickly put the rope through a ring or round a post to take the strain; if the boat got pulled out by the current it was vital not to try to hang on to the rope.

He said: 'The Broads is a wonderful quiet place but people need to be aware of natural hazards. We take safety very seriously and the Broads Authority has been installing safety ladders, chains and lifebelts at all its moorings.'