An 80-year-old man whose car left the road on Marine Drive last night has died in hospital.

The police said the man, who has not been identified, was taken to Noble’s Hospital after the incident, but has since died from his injuries.

A police spokesman said: ’A car went off the edge of the road in the area between Port Soderick and Marine Drive junction at an unknown time yesterday, it was reported to us just before 7pm. A full turn out of emergency services took place and this included Coastguard and a helicopter due to the difficult to reach beach location.

’An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing and we would ask people to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of his family.’

Officers have asked that anyone who saw a blue Vauxhall Mokka car in the area of Port Soderick yesterday afternoon, to contact them.

The spokesman added: ’It is important to try and establish a time line and the exact time of the incident cannot yet be ascertained. A stock image of the car make/model/colour is attached.

It was reported by the police at 7.30pm on Monday night that a car had left the coastal road at the Port Soderick end.

It was later confirmed just after 9pm that the helicopter has been called in to assist with the situation.

A Coastguard spokesman said: ’Douglas Coastguards were called at 18.57 to a major multi agency rescue to a motorist and their vehicle which left the Marine Drive and ended up to the south of Keristal beach.

’In attendance were Douglas Coastguards,Paramedics,Douglas Lifeboat,Isle of Man Fire and Rescue,Police and a Coastguard Helicopter.