A man and a woman have died after being recovered from the water at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, prompting a major emergency response.
Emergency crews, including South Western Ambulance Service and Devon and Cornwall Police, responded to the coastal site around 9:45 p.
m. on Sunday, July 26.
Search efforts involved Coastguard Rescue Teams from Newquay, Padstow, and St Agnes, along with two RNLI lifeboats deployed at approximately 9:30 p.
m. and a rescue helicopter.
Authorities established a cordon at the location overnight, which emergency personnel have since removed.
Officials confirmed that the next of kin for both victims have been notified regarding the deaths.
Official Statement
HM Coastguard released an official statement detailing the timeline and the response measures taken by emergency teams during the multi-agency operation.
"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," HM Coastguard said.
The agency expressed condolences to the families affected by the fatal coastal incident.
"Emergency services attended and a cordon was put in place, which has since been removed," HM Coastguard said.
Officials confirmed that both individuals could not be saved by attending paramedics.
"Sadly, a man and a woman were pronounced deceased at the scene," HM Coastguard said.
The coastguard noted that support is being offered to those impacted by the tragedy.
"Their families have been informed, and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time," HM Coastguard said.
Authorities are now working on official documentation following the confirmation of the deaths.
"A file will be prepared for HM Coroner," HM Coastguard said.
Providing further context on the initial deployment, the agency outlined the scope of the search effort in South Fistral.
"HM Coastguard has been responding to an incident in the South Fistral area, Newquay, overnight," HM Coastguard said.
The agency clarified the initial notification time that triggered the multi-agency dispatch across Cornwall.
"First informed at around 9.30pm (26 July), Coastguard Rescue Teams from Newquay, Padstow and St Agnes, lifeboats from Newquay RNLI and an HM Coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene, alongside other emergency services," HM Coastguard said.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that HM Coastguard maintains primacy over the ongoing investigation into the deaths.
Investigators will submit a formal report detailing the circumstances surrounding the event to HM Coroner.
