The community of South Pembrokeshire has been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of a paramedic who died whilst carrying out charity work in the Maldives.

Thirty-year-old Dai Rees, who worked for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and hails from Saundersfoot, is believed to have died after blacking out whilst snorkelling.

Dai was working with the Maldivian Sihhath Institute which he founded in an aim to bring emergency response training and equipment to the local population across the Maldivian archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

He had just completed his first day of first aid training with the local people and had gone snorkelling after work when the tragedy happened on Sunday evening.

The Sihhath Initiative was set-up by Dai and his colleagues Adam Khan, Thomas Scott and Andy Wade from Bournemouth and Wimbourne.

The idea was first conceived by Dai while he was volunteering in the Maldives and discovered there was virtually no first aid provision for the islanders.

The initiative gained the support and backing of the Trust back in the UK, which now donates equipment it no longer requires to the project.

SWASFT chief executive Ken Wenman paid tribute saying: "Dai was a well-liked and respected member of staff and on behalf of the Trust I would like to offer my condolences to his family, friends and work colleagues."

Dai attended Ysgol Greenhill School in Tenby - where he was a keen musician and sportsman - before studying at Trinity College of Music in London between 2000 and 2004.

He later moved to Poole in Dorset to work as a paramedic for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Dai's brother Richard told the Observer, he, his parents Des and Tina and brother Adam had received incredible support from the local community.

"It just shows what a popular guy Dai was," he said.

"The support of our family and friends is helping us get through this difficult time."

Also see obituary page.