A British man has been found alive with a gunshot wound to his head on a beach, near a submerged shipwreck, and has been hospitalised in a serious condition.

The incident took place on the Playa Brava beach, which is located in the seaside resort and city of Punta del Este, in the Maldonado Department of south-eastern Uruguay.

He was taken to the Sanatorio Mautone Maldonado medical centre last Tuesday, on 22nd February. His condition is described as serious and he is reportedly in intensive care.

The man, who has not been named, reportedly goes for walks on the beach on a regular basis, but on the day of the incident, a witness reported suddenly seeing him fall to the ground.

It was at first thought that he had stumbled and tripped on part of the shipwreck. After being examined by police responding to the incident, it was revealed that he had a gunshot wound to the head, near one of his eyes.

Communication was reportedly difficult because the British citizen did not speak Spanish. Police called medics, who took him to hospital.

Police currently believe that the man tried to kill himself, as they reportedly found a suicide note at his house. He was reportedly also carrying his passport. A weapon was also reportedly retrieved from the beach.

A vehicle rented by the man was reportedly found a few kilometres from where he was found.

Local media reports that the man’s relatives have been contacted by the local authorities.