Families in mourning after two tragedies on the coast
the headland and South Fistral. At that time the lifeguards were requested to provide assistance and the Newquay lifeboats and helicopters were launched.
“The lifeguards were first on scene in pretty atrocious weather conditions.”
He said that the waves had reached 10ft in the area, adding: “The people were swept into the sea very close to rocks; when they were eventually found, they were 50 to 60 [yards] off in what were absolutely treacherous conditions. Obviously the crews are people and family people, and dealing with this traumatic incident takes its toll on everybody involved.”
Writing on Facebook, Maria Cripps said she had seen two boys at a hospital on Friday night who told her that their parents and sister had been swept out to sea.
She said: “I was in A&E this evening with my daughter. Two young boys were brought in by a member of staff. My heart instantly sank wondering where their carers were.”
On social media, other people described witnessing the dramatic rescue.
Tina Loughrey said: “We watched the lifeboat being launched and return very swiftly with what must have been the dad or young boy. They did everything they could to resuscitate him but you could tell it was going to end badly. Heartbreaking.”
A police spokesman said yesterday: “A two-year-old girl was recovered from the sea by an RNLI lifeboat before being flown to hospital, where she remains.
“Next of kin have not yet been informed and formal ID has not yet been carried out on the man.”
In Aberdeen, Chief Insp Stewart Mackie said: “This is a very tragic incident which has resulted in a woman and young boy sadly losing their lives. It will undoubtedly bring shock and sadness to the entire city of Aberdeen and further afield.”
It emerged last night that yesterday a windsurfer in his 60s also died, off the coast of West Mersea in Essex. ‘Atrocious weather conditions’: rescuers were called to a Newquay beach on Friday afternoon, when two adults and three children were caught by 10ft waves pounding the rocky coastline