DAD DIES AS FAMILY HIT BY 13FT WAVES
Parents and three kids washed off rocks in summer holiday tragedy
A DAD has drowned and his two-yearold daughter is fighting for her life after a family of five was washed off rocks by 13ft waves.
The parents in their thirties and the toddler were pulled from the water by RNLI teams using a boat and jetski. Lifeguards tried to resuscitate the father before all three were airlifted to hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.
His two young sons scrambled back on to the rocks and were taken to the same hospital by ambulance. The boys and their mother had minor injuries and shock.
Grant Purvis, who saw the tragedy unfold at Newquay’s Fistral Beach in North Cornwall, said: “It was heartbreaking to watch. It goes to show the real power of the water we all love.”
The holidaymakers, from Surrey, were swept away as sea conditions changed dramatically on Friday afternoon, catching many people off guard. The RNLI said crews were called to three rescues as high winds and huge waves battered the Cornish and Devon coast.
James Instance, of Falmouth Coastguard, said: “It’s not your normal August swell. This is a big surf which has the power to get people into difficulty very quickly.”
Despite the tragedy, locals said people were still going into the sea yesterday, ignoring red warning flags. Ros Kenn wrote on Facebook: “Just back from walking the dog down Mawgan Porth. One sole person in at 9.30am body boarding in the raging sea despite lifeguards red flag up from yesterday. Lifeguards not there till 10am and a young family were going to go in too but fortunately they had more sense.”
Ana Taylor Garcia said: “People were just ignoring the red flag and the advice from the lifeguards. We need to understand that the water is dangerous and deserves our respect.”
Police launched an investigation into the tragedy and appealed for witnesses.
DC Jarrod Yewen said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning across most of England and Wales as parts of Devon were hit by 55mph winds.
A number of summer events were cancelled at short notice.
Bournemouth Air Festival, due to take place along the town’s seafront, called off displays because of storm forecasts and “exceptionally high water levels”.
Environment Agency flood risk manager Craig Woolhouse said: “We urge people to stay safe on the coast and warn wavewatchers against the unnecessary dangers of taking storm selfies.”
A WINDSURFER in his sixties died after being pulled from the estuary off West Mersea, Essex, as high winds hit yesterday.
It’s not your usual August swell, this is a big surf that can get you in trouble fast JAMES INSTANCE FALMOUTH COASTGUARD SPOKESMAN