A woman in her 60s has died and a man remains in a critical condition after they attempted to rescue their dog from the sea in Lancashire. The incident occurred at Thornton Cleveleys on Saturday evening, with emergency services called at around 8.31pm.
Police said the woman was taken to hospital but later died. The man, also in his sixties, remains in hospital in a critical condition. The dog was recovered from the water safe and well, according to Lancashire Police.
“A woman in her 60s has died and a man is critically ill after trying to rescue their dog from the sea in Lancashire. In a separate incident, a murder investigation has begun after a woman in her 80s was found dead in Cornwall.”
A cordon was put in place as officers investigated the circumstances. The beach at Thornton Cleveleys is a popular spot on the Fylde coast, known for its sandy shoreline and promenade. The incident has prompted renewed warnings about the dangers of entering the sea to rescue pets.
In a separate development, a murder investigation has been launched after a woman in her 80s was found dead in Cornwall. Police arrested a man on suspicion of murder in connection with the death. No further details about the location or circumstances have been released at this stage.
Lancashire Police are urging the public to avoid going into the water if they see a pet in distress. "We would always advise people not to enter the water to rescue a dog, as the owner can often get into difficulty themselves," a spokesperson said. The RNLI recommends calling 999 and asking for the coastguard instead.
The coroner has been notified in relation to the Lancashire incident. Investigations continue in both cases.
## What This Means For You This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that even in apparently calm conditions, the sea can be unpredictable. Dog owners should keep pets on leads near cliffs or water's edge. If your dog gets into trouble, do not enter the water - call 999 and ask for the coastguard. The separate murder investigation in Cornwall highlights the importance of reporting any concerns about vulnerable neighbours to police.