An inquest has heard how a father and daughter died at one of the UK's most popular surfing beaches after he entered the sea in a desperate attempt to rescue her. John Peter Collins, 66, and Samantha Adele Collins, 32, were pulled from the water at Fistral Beach in Newquay on July 26.
Holiday tragedy
Cornwall Coroner's Court was told the family, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, had been on holiday in the seaside town. Assistant coroner Emma Hillson said: "Samantha Collins was on holiday with her family in Newquay. She and her father were fishing on rocks when Samantha was dragged into the sea. John tried to save her, but very sadly was unable to so and they both lost their lives."
Adele Collins, the wife of Mr Collins and mother of Miss Collins, identified their bodies, the hearing was told. Post-mortem examinations were performed at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske on July 29. The provisional cause of death for both father and daughter was given as drowning.
Inquest adjourned
"Given the reported circumstances of the death, and the provisional cause of death, I have reason to suspect the death may be as a result of an unnatural cause," the coroner said. "I am going to adjourn for a provisional full hearing date of July 19 2027 at 10am, with a time estimate of three hours. This will be a joint inquest."
The hearing in Truro heard Mr Collins was married and a retired technical engineer, while his daughter was single.
Police appeal
Devon and Cornwall Police previously confirmed officers were called to Fistral Beach at about 9.45pm on July 26. Both Mr Collins and his daughter had been recovered from the water. Emergency services attended, but the pair were pronounced dead at the scene.
Ms Collins is believed to have entered the water carrying a handbag, described as orange or peach in colour, with a shoulder strap. A police spokeswoman previously said it was "thought to contain a number of personal items of great sentimental value to her loved ones". "At what is an incredibly difficult time for the family, they would take great comfort in being reunited with these belongings if possible," she added.
Anyone who finds a bag matching the description is asked to hand it into Newquay police station, or to contact police with the incident number 50260197209.
