Father and daughter die after being pulled from the water at Fistral beach in Cornwall

A man and woman who died in the water at Fistral Beach were revealed today to be a father and daughter who were on holiday together in Cornwall.

It is feared that the couple from Doncaster, whose name was not disclosed, fell off the rocks into the wavy waters while walking on Newquay, England’s most famous surfing beach.

Emergency services arrived at the scene at around 21.30 on Sunday, upon the notice that two people had fallen into the sea in the rocky area on the beach.

The man in his 60s and the woman in her 30s were pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday evening.

It was said that the sea was very wavy and that strong winds caused large waves to crash against the rocks.

The police requested help on behalf of the family to find the bag the woman was carrying when she was dragged.

A spokesman said: ‘Sadly, we now understand that the deceased woman entered the water carrying a bag described as orange or peach in color with a shoulder strap.

‘The bag is believed to be leather style and approximately 30cm x 30cm in size. It is thought to contain a number of personal items of high sentimental value to loved ones.

‘At an incredibly difficult time for the family, they will be relieved to be reunited with these items, if possible.’

The pair were among five people killed in water-related incidents in England over the weekend.

While another man in distress died yesterday in West Wittering in West Sussex, two women in their twenties lost their lives in Loch Fyne on the west coast of Scotland.

Sand Phoenix said he was sleeping on Fistral Beach when the coast guard and ambulance were called at 9.30pm on Sunday. He ran to help with the search.

Sand claimed the male victim was fully clothed and ‘went in to save his daughter’, adding: ‘He had been pulled from the water but remained submerged for approximately seven minutes.

“I had an adrenaline pen in my hand and I used it on him and tried to give him oxygen, but his lungs were full of water and he wasn’t responding,” he said.

‘Paramedics arrived and continued to perform CPR. He was still wearing his pants, so I don’t think he was swimming. ‘Apparently they were walking near the rocks and fell into the rocks.’

Another eyewitness said: ‘Another man arrived soaked wet and wrapped in a foil blanket. He knew them and was trying to help. I’m just in shock. It was awful to watch.

‘A man came running up the cliff, saying there were people drowning in the water. One woman desperately tried to call someone but couldn’t get through and burst into tears.

‘They found one body on the beach and pulled the other from the cliff.’

A helicopter was activated at around 21.30 to assist in rescue efforts.

Coastguard at scene in Fistral last night after two people died in the water

A man and a woman died after being pulled from the sea at Fistral beach in Newquay, England’s most famous surfing beach.

Nine emergency vehicles and a helicopter rushed to the long, sandy Cornish coast known as the ‘home of British surfing’.

Images from Fistral last night showed people on the sand trying to help rescue efforts. However, tragically, two people in the water lost their lives.

Holidaymaker Glyn Thomas, 68, who witnessed the rescue effort, said: ‘I could hear the helicopter flying low and there were three or four ambulances parked along the road.

‘We saw a few surfers being carried into the back of the ambulance on silver foil blankets and paramedics performing CPR on one.

‘It was still light out when it happened and there were a few surfers around and people walking on the rocks.’

Locals said the beach was battered by high winds and choppy conditions last night, with visitors often caught out by tides and unpredictable currents on the beach.

Barrie Phillips, who runs the Pink Flamingo Ice Cream van, said: ‘I’ve been told one after another comes in, people often fish on these rocks and you also get people jumping into the water.

‘But last night’s surf was very variable due to strong winds and rough seas.

‘The phistral is famous for its tides and people get into trouble.’

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘Police were called by the South West Ambulance Service at around 9.45pm on Sunday following reports that two men had been pulled from the water at Fistral Beach in Newquay.

‘Emergency services attended and a cordon was put in place, which has since been removed.

‘Sadly, a man and a woman were pronounced dead at the scene. Their families have been notified and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time. A file will be prepared for HM Coroner.’

Fistral Beach is renowned for its world-class surfing and hosts competitions including the Boardmasters Open Surfing Championships. The beach is also a major tourist attraction, attracting an estimated 750,000 to over one million visitors each year.

The tragedy occurred just hours after one man died and another was taken to hospital after getting into trouble in the water at another popular British beach on the south coast.

The temperature in West Wittering rose above 26.5 degrees in the afternoon. The maximum temperature in Newquay was recorded by the Met Office as 20.2C.

Emergency services rushed to West Wittering Beach in West Sussex at 2.30pm on Sunday following concerns for the safety of two adults in the water.

Rescue teams pulled two people from the sea, but one person was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other person was taken to hospital as a precaution. The couple is not believed to know each other.

In a statement, Sussex Police said: ‘Emergency services were called to the beach near the Beach Café in Pound Road, West Wittering, at around 2.30pm on Sunday, July 26, after two adults experienced difficulties in the water.

‘They were both pulled from the sea and treated in emergency services at the scene.

‘Sadly one of the men was pronounced dead at the scene.

‘The other man was taken to hospital as a precaution.

‘The men are not believed to have known each other.

‘Next relatives have been informed and the matter has been referred to the coroner’s officer.’

Coastguard and paramedics photographed two more deaths on West Wittering beach on Sunday afternoon.

West Wittering Beach managers said in a post on social media: ‘We are deeply saddened to confirm that a 55-year-old man has sadly passed away following an incident at West Wittering Beach.

‘Our lifeguards responded immediately and provided advanced first aid and CPR alongside the ambulance service, coastguard and other emergency services.

‘Despite all efforts, unfortunately it was announced that he died.

‘The circumstances surrounding this incident are currently being determined and it would be inappropriate to speculate at this time.

‘Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the man’s family, friends and everyone affected by this tragic incident. We would like to thank our lifeguards, emergency room colleagues and citizens who helped during the intervention.

‘We respectfully request that the family’s privacy be respected at this incredibly difficult time.’

Meanwhile, police say two women in Scotland have died following ‘a report of concern about two female divers’ entering Loch Fyne.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Emergency services attended and a 26-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

‘Further searches of the water were carried out and the body of a 24-year-old woman was located.

‘The deaths are being treated as unexplained and an autopsy will be carried out in due course.’

In Kent, a man and two children are receiving treatment in hospital and are in a stable condition after getting into trouble at sea off the city’s most famous holiday resort.

Emergency services descended on Margate Main Sands at around 4.30pm on Saturday after reports of three people struggling in the water.

A major multi-agency response was launched, with an air ambulance and a coastguard helicopter landing directly on the sand near the town’s tide pool.

Dozens of police vehicles, land ambulances and specialist incident response teams lined the beach as he received emergency medical treatment on the beach.

All three were airlifted to hospital for further treatment.

All three are confirmed to remain in hospital in a stable condition.

A police spokesman said: ‘At 4.36pm on Saturday, July 25, Kent Police were called to reports of a man and two children in distress at sea in Margate and received medical treatment at the scene.

‘Officers worked to manage traffic in the area and ensure the landing of the air ambulance and coastguard helicopter.

‘All three injured were taken to hospital for further treatment and remain in a stable condition there.’