A man and a woman believed to be a father and daughter have died after being pulled from the sea at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall — a tragedy that unfolded just days before the beach is due to host the Boardmasters surfing festival.
Emergency services were called at around 9.45pm on Sunday after the pair, reportedly on holiday in the area, fell from rocks into choppy waters. Brave beachgoers attempted a rescue, dragging them from the sea, but both were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
“Man, 60s, and woman, 30s, die after being pulled from sea at Fistral Beach, Newquay.”
The man, in his 60s, and the woman, in her 30s, were recovered by the rocks, according to one witness who described seeing two people dragging a body from the water and starting CPR. Within minutes, a paramedic arrived, followed by more ambulances, two coastguard boats and a helicopter that lowered a crew member onto the rocks.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the deaths and said the families had been informed. A spokesperson said: “Police were called by the South Western Ambulance Service at around 9.45pm on Sunday 26 July following reports that two people had been recovered from the water at Fistral Beach, Newquay. Emergency services attended and a cordon was put in place, which has since been removed. Sadly, a man and a woman were pronounced deceased at the scene. Their families have been informed, and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.” A file will be prepared for HM Coroner, and the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.
Mayor of Newquay, Drew Creek, said the town was “feeling sombre”. He told the BBC: “We’re all feeling the loss of the individuals yesterday. They were down on holiday we understand and [this is] not the way you would want anyone’s holiday here in Newquay to be.” He expressed a “huge thank you” to emergency services.
Local resident Kai Bishop, who watched the scene unfold via the beach webcam, said he was “lost for words”. He warned that conditions at the beach could change “within a blink of an eye” and urged people not to enter the sea if unsure.
HM Coastguard said rescue teams from Newquay, Padstow and St Agnes, along with lifeboats from Newquay RNLI and a helicopter, were sent to the scene. The beach, known as the home of British surfing, is due to host the Boardmasters festival from August 5 to 9, which features Fatboy Slim, Lily Allen and James Arthur, among others.
The tragedy has reignited water safety warnings. The RNLI advises people to choose lifeguard-patrolled beaches and, if in difficulty, to “float to live” by relaxing, tilting the head back and submerging the ears until calm.