Young woman dies at beach in Cornwall after 'rock jumping into sea'

Young woman dies in front of hundreds of staycationers on Cornwall beach after she got into difficulty in water with her sibling ‘while jumping off rocks into rough sea’

• Emergency services tried to rescue two siblings after they jumped into the sea
• The pair had reportedly been jumping off rocks into the water in Cornwall
• Their mother called the emergency services when she saw them in difficulty  
• One was saved but a teenage girl tragically died despite a resuscitation attempt 

A teenage girl tragically drowned after ‘rock jumping’ into the sea with her sibling despite being given CPR in front of thousands at a packed beauty spot. 

Their mother called 999 when she saw her daughters getting into trouble after leaping into the sea off the cost of Perranporth, Cornwall. 

The other child managed to scramble ashore but the teenage girl could not be saved after emergency services failed to revive her. 

James Instance from Falmouth Coastguard said high water and rough seas meant a large number of emergency services were involved. He added lifeguards were on duty and responded quickly.

He said: ‘They were young adults. The two people were in the water and had been rock jumping into the water in that area.

‘Their mother called in and said she could not see them but thought they were in difficulty at that stage and reported that her daughter was in difficulty and calling for help.’

Unfortunately it’s just an area of the beach that at high tide at Droskyn it’s just slightly around the corner and not in the visibility of where lifeguards are patrolling and putting their focus – between the red and yellow flags.’

He said the siblings had jumped into a ‘choppy and confused sea’.

The sibling’s mother called 999 when she saw the pair were in difficulty in the water 

A large number of emergency services were involved in the rescue effort on the coast of Perranporth, Cornwall

A helicopter was scrambled to help save the two siblings – one was saved but the other tragically drowned

He added: ‘Trying to get out in an area where it’s very choppy and around rocks… that certainly seems to have been a big part of the problem.’ 

An Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: ‘Around 4pm on Thursday HM Coastguard received a 999-call reporting two people in difficulty in the water at Droskyn, Perranporth.

‘RNLI Lifeguards from Perranporth and the coastguard rescue team from St Agnes were sent to help along with the coastguard helicopter from Newquay and the Air Ambulance.

‘South West Ambulance Service and Devon and Cornwall Police were also sent to assist.

‘One person self-recovered to shore.

‘A woman was recovered from the water by lifeguards.

‘CPR was given however they were declared deceased by a paramedic at the incident.’

RNLI lifeguards from Perranporth, the coastguard rescue team from St Agnes, the coastguard helicopter from Newquay, an air ambulance and Devon and Cornwall Police also attended.

A spokesman for Perranporth Surf Life Saving Club, involved in the rescue effort, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family of the young lady who tragically lost her life in big sea off Droskyn Steps.

The beach was crowded with holidaymakers on August 25 when the incident occurred

‘Several of our young people working as RNLI professional lifeguards and HM Coastguard were involved with the incident with HEMS [Helicopter emergency medical service].’

‘Ambulance and Devon and Cornwall Police worked incredibly hard to save a life in trying sea conditions and back on land.

‘Sadly this was not to be.

‘We are incredibly proud of their efforts and know how traumatic these incidents can be for all involved.’

An eyewitness to the tragic death said: ‘I was on the beach with my family today when this incident happened.

‘Obviously coastguard helicopters always generate attention and the beach was extremely busy with thousands of people enjoying what was a perfect summer day.

‘It was an awful thing to witness despite what was obviously an incredible effort from all the emergency and rescue services involved and also a large number of members of the public.

‘Our thoughts are with everyone involved and whilst I’ll not go into any details, it was utterly heartbreaking and extremely upsetting.

‘Our coastguards, lifeguards and emergency services really are incredible though.’

Another added: ‘Saw this unfold this afternoon – seeing first aiders and rescuers doing CPR – very upsetting to see.

‘My family’s heart goes out to the person involved and their family..’

And another shocked eyewitness said: ‘Just got back from Perranporth beach where we have witnessed the most horrific thing unfold before all of our eyes.

‘Hold your kids tightly and spend all your time with the people who are special to you and forget the rest.

‘There are certain images that will stay with me forever.’

A Devon and Cornwall police spokesman said: ‘Police were notified at around 5.15pm on Thursday to reports of a concern of welfare of a woman in the water at Perranporth Beach.

‘Emergency services, including the RNLI and Coastguard Rescue teams along with the Air Ambulance were all present at the scene.

‘The woman was pulled out of the water by lifeguards but was sadly pronounced deceased a short time after.

‘Next of kin are aware.

‘A file will be prepared for the coroner.’

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