Yorkshire father and daughter die after being pulled from sea at popular tourist beach
A father and daughter from Doncaster have died after getting into trouble in the sea off a popular UK beach, police have confirmed.
Emergency services, including the RNLI and coastguard, were called to Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, at about 9.45pm on Sunday, July 26, after reports two people had been pulled from the water.
Devon and Cornwall Police said a woman in her 30s and a man in his 60s from Doncaster were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said she it was understood the woman entered the water carrying a bag described as orange or peach in colour with a shoulder strap.
The handbag is believed to be leather-style, measuring about 30cm (11 inches) by 30cm and thought to contain several personal items with significant sentimental value.
"At what is an incredibly difficult time for the family, they would take great comfort in being reunited with these belongings if possible," said the force.
A cordon was put in place while emergency services carried out their work, but it has since been removed.
Officers said a file would now be prepared for HM Coroner.
Mayor Drew Creek said the news was "awful" and "everyone in Newquay was feeling sombre".
"They were down on holiday we understand and [this is] not the way you would want anyone's holiday here in Newquay to be.
"Our thoughts and our feelings go out to the families affected.
"We heard the helicopter quite low over the bay and of course whenever you hear that as a resident your heart sinks because you know that they are out there for a reason and I suppose our worst fears were realised this morning when we woke up to the news."
Creek said it was a "challenging time" for the community and expressed "a huge thank you" to emergency services and rescue teams.
Fistral Beach is one of busiest beaches in the country and a surfing hotspot.
The beach is known as the home of British surfing and often hosts major national and international competitions such as Boardmasters.