Duchy warned of dangerous currents before beach death

 The Duchy of Cornwall was warned about currents at its beach, where a man died earlier this year.

Councillors from Crantock Parish Council, near Newquay, met with the Duchy on several occasions last autumn and winter to discuss conditions at the beach, where Oneil Din, 27, died earlier this month.

The danger was caused by damage to a breakwater during a storm in February 2014, meaning a river changed its route making currents unpredictable. The Duchy owns the beach closest to the sea, while the National Trust has responsibility above the high water mark.

The issue was first raised in April last year, when council minutes say currents caused by the river meant the area was “now really dangerous”.

A spokesman for the Duchy – the estate of the Prince of Wales – expressed “deepest condolences” to Mr Din’s family and added: “In 2016 new signs were installed to alert people to the danger of strong currents and other risks. We plan to meet again with the parish council, National Trust and other stakeholders to see what more can possibly be done.”