Two people have died after being pulled from the sea at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, on Sunday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the popular surfing beach at around 2:30pm following reports of swimmers in difficulty.
Details of the Incident
The two individuals, a man and a woman, were rescued from the water by lifeguards and members of the public. Despite efforts to revive them, they were pronounced dead at the scene. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
According to the RNLI, the conditions at the time were described as "challenging" with strong rip currents and a moderate swell. Fistral Beach is known for its powerful waves and is a popular destination for surfers, but can be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers.
Emergency Response
The coastguard, ambulance service, and police all attended the scene. A spokesperson for the Devon and Cornwall Police said: "We were called to Fistral Beach at 2:30pm following reports of two people in difficulty in the water. Despite the best efforts of emergency services and members of the public, both individuals were sadly pronounced dead at the scene."
The RNLI added: "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives. We urge everyone to respect the water and follow beach safety advice."
Safety Warnings
This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of the sea. Lifeguards advise swimmers to always swim between the red and yellow flags, which indicate the safest areas patrolled by lifeguards. They also recommend checking tide times and weather conditions before entering the water.
Fistral Beach is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards during the summer season, and the beach has a dedicated safety zone. However, rip currents can pose a serious risk even to experienced swimmers.
