A FATHER collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack as his two sons were being arrested for fighting at the family home in Southampton.

The 66-year-old was taken to Southampton General Hospital following the incident at Exford Drive, Harefield, last night but did not survive.

Police had been called to the address at 10pm following a report that two men were fighting.

Officers attended and arrested two brothers, aged 37 and 31, on suspicion of assault offences they were thought to have committed against each other.

Their father was treated in the house by paramedics from Hampshire Ambulance Service after collapsing from a suspected heart attack.

Police said the man, who has not been named, was later pronounced dead at Southampton General Hospital.

A post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death was expected to take place at the hospital later today.

Police said both brothers remained in custody at Bitterne police station this morning, where they were being questioned about the incident.

Det Insp Richard Pearson, leading the police inquiry, said: "Although the circumstances of the death are being investigated, it is being dealt as a separate tragic incident."