A man in his 40s from Surrey has died after getting into difficulty in the sea off the Devon coast.
Devon and Cornwall Police were called by HM Coastguard at 3.30pm on Monday over concerns for the welfare of a man at Blackpool Sands in the coastal village of Strete. The man was recovered from the water by HM Coastguard, with police and paramedics also attending the scene.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
Police confirm death not suspicious
In a statement, the spokesperson said: "Police were called by HM Coastguard at 3.30pm on Monday, August 24 following concerns for the welfare of a man at Blackpool Sands, Strete. The man had got into difficulty while swimming in the sea and was recovered from the water by HM Coastguard.
"He was treated at the scene by paramedics. Sadly, the man, who was in his 40s from Surrey, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."
The man is the 52nd person to die after getting into the water this summer, which has been particularly deadly for those seeking to cool off during severe hot weather. Three heatwaves have affected the country since May, with temperatures nearing 40C.
Summer drowning toll rises
The death follows the Shoreham drownings, in which four members of the same family died after getting into difficulty in waters off the West Sussex port town on August 18. Palestinians Saja El-Khawas, six, her sister Sara El-Khawas, 14, and their parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, died after entering the water at Kingston Beach, near Shoreham Port.
Sara, Hassan and Zeina died at the scene, while Saja died three days later in hospital. Sussex Police said the deaths were being treated as a "tragic incident" without third-party involvement. Sussex Ch Supt James Collis said: "This heartbreaking update is one we all feared in the aftermath of Tuesday's tragic events. The impact of this tragedy has been felt across the country, and I know the Shoreham community, emergency responders and all involved will continue to be affected for a long time to come."
The Mirror has launched the Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign to tackle the UK's growing drowning crisis. Backed by MPs, Olympic champions, national water safety organisations and bereaved families, the campaign calls for compulsory water safety lessons in schools, a nationwide public awareness campaign, better lifesaving equipment at high-risk waterways, the introduction of Sam's Law, and a dedicated Minister for Water Safety.
