John Peter Collins, 66, and Samantha Adele Collins, 32, died at Fistral Beach in Newquay on 26 July, with an inquest hearing that the father lost his life trying to rescue his daughter.
Holiday Tragedy
Cornwall Coroner's Court was told the family, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, were on holiday in the coastal resort. 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, wife of Mr Collins and mother of Miss Collins, formally identified their bodies. Post-mortem examinations at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske on 29 July gave the preliminary cause of death as drowning for both.
Inquest Adjourned
Coroner Hillson noted: "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." She adjourned for a provisional full hearing on 19 July 2027 at 10am, with a three-hour time estimate, to be a joint inquest.
The Truro hearing was told Mr Collins was a retired technical engineer and married, while his daughter was single. Devon and Cornwall Police were called to Fistral Beach at about 9.45pm on 26 July; both were pulled from the water and pronounced dead at the scene.
Appeal for Sentimental Belongings
Miss Collins is believed to have entered the water with an orange or peach shoulder-strap handbag, thought to contain personal items of great sentimental value. A police spokeswoman said: "At what is an incredibly difficult time for the family, they would take great comfort in being reunited with these belongings if possible."
Anyone finding a matching bag is urged to hand it in at Newquay police station or contact police quoting incident number 50260197209.
