A father and daughter who died after being swept away at one of Britain's best-known surfing beaches have been named. John Peter Collins, 66, and his daughter Samantha Adele Collins, 32, both from Doncaster, were pulled from the sea after being dragged into the ocean at the rocks on Fistral Beach in Newquay on the night of July 26.
Emergency response
Despite the best efforts of bystanders, first responders, and search and rescue teams, both were pronounced dead at the scene. A slew of emergency services including police, coastguard, and ambulance crews were seen at the beach from around 9.30pm into the early hours.
Coastguard rescue teams from Newquay, Padstow and St Agnes, alongside Newquay RNLI lifeboats and a HM Coastguard helicopter, assisted with the response, a spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall Police said.
Inquest to be opened
An inquest into the deaths of the father and daughter will open on Tuesday and will be heard in full at a later date, Cornwall Live reports.
Appeal for handbag
In its latest update on July 27, Devon and Cornwall Police appealed for information about an orange or peach-coloured handbag belonging to Ms Collins. The force said: "We now understand that the woman who sadly lost her life had entered the water carrying a handbag described as orange or peach in colour, with a shoulder strap.
"The bag is believed to be leather-style and approximately 30cm by 30cm in size. It is 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. We would be very grateful if anyone who finds a bag matching this description could hand it in to Newquay Police Station or contact us, quoting the incident number 50260197209."
The force has not confirmed whether the bag has been found.
Council condolences
Following the tragedy, Newquay Town Council said: "We are extremely saddened by the tragic events at Fistral Beach on Sunday evening, in which a father and daughter sadly lost their lives.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with their family, friends and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the emergency services, RNLI volunteers, coastguard teams and all those who responded to the incident."
The council also shared the police appeal for information about the handbag and urged anyone who finds it to contact the force. It asked people to respect the family's privacy during this difficult time.
