Two holidaymakers from the same family are feared dead after being swept out to sea while fishing from rocks off the coast of Cornwall.
A major search has resumed for one missing angler this morning (Tuesday) after a 21-year-old man who was hauled from the water by coastguards was confirmed dead.
Coastguards say the duo, who they confirmed are related, were both fishing off rocks at Treyarnon Bay, Padstow, when the tragedy occurred.
The hunt for the second angler was suspended overnight as daylight faded, but resumed at 7am today.
Witnesses first reported them missing at 2.35pm on Monday.
A short while later, one man was located in the water and pulled out by the coastguard helicopter.
He was transferred to hospital by air ambulance but pronounced dead.
James Instance, of Falmouth Coastguard, said: “Our understanding is they were down on holiday in Cornwall.
“It’s a stark reminder of quite how powerful the sea is and how things can happen incredibly quickly.
“There was a significant breaking wave in the area building during the course of the afternoon.
“It may not have looked particularly rough but they were challenging conditions close in shore.”
Rescuers said they felt there was now very little chance of finding the second man alive.
Mr Instance said the search teams had night vision equipment available but the risk to the rescuers outweighed the hope of finding him in the dark.
He added: “We would have searched throughout the night.
“If we felt there was any chance whatsoever of finding him we would have continued.
“The helicopter was going across time after time, it was a very detailed search of the area. We were confident when we stood down the search that if the missing person had been on the surface we would have found him.
“It is an unimaginable tragedy for those concerned. Our thoughts primarily are with the family.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We were called to a report of two males having been washed in to the sea near Treyarnon Bay, north Cornwall.
“The males had been fishing off the rocks.
“Following a search by the RNLI and HM Coastguard, a 21-year-old male was located and airlifted to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, where he was confirmed deceased.
“His next of kin have been informed.”
One witness said: “It was very wet and windy near the coastline, and there was a lot of activity going on, with the helicopter and lifeboats at sea, and a lot of people helping the search from the shoreline.
“It did look as though the operation was being scaled back as the light faded.”
*UPDATE*
The search for the second missing angler has been called off as hopes fade that he will be found alive.
RNLI and HM Coastguards have confirmed that the search and rescue teams who spent a second day looking for the holidaymaker who went missing yesterday, have been called back.
It comes after more than 12 search and rescue volunteers spent hours on cliff tops and beaches scouring and combing for the missing man.
The all-weather lifeboat from Padstow also spent a second day out at sea searching the coastline.
Locals say the two men feared dead in the fishing tragedy are believed to be brothers – aged 21 and 32.
It is understood they were fishing with a third man, who has not been unidentified, at the secluded spot.
After the two had been swept in to the sea by a giant wave, the third angler is understood to have fled to alert the emergency services.
One member of the coastguard, who asked not to be named, said: “I was the first one to respond to the scene and spoke to the first informant.
“He told me he had been fishing with two other people and the other two had been washed into the sea.
“I did not stop to get names or ask any details, but just got on with my job.”
A farmer, who owns a campsite next to the fishing spot, added: “They were brothers, but they weren’t staying here.
“It is a great place to go fishing. People have been fishing there all summer with no incidents.
“I couldn’t tell you whether they were being careful or not – but you have obviously got to be careful out there.”
Another witness added: “Three of them had been fishing together when a wave swept two of them off the rocks.
“Apparently they were on holiday down here but I don’t know where they are from.
