A woman in her 30s and a man in her 60s, both from Doncaster, have died after being pulled from the water at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, on Sunday evening.
Emergency services including the RNLI, police, coastguard and ambulance crews were called to the beach at about 21:45 BST on Sunday following reports of two people in trouble at sea. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency response praised
An eyewitness, Nick Glazzard, who was staying near the beach on holiday, praised the speed of the emergency response. He said police and ambulances were present "within minutes" and described the response team as "phenomenally quick".
Mr Glazzard said the coastguard helicopter was also searching the area, though it arrived after other crews had already responded.
Search for personal belongings
Devon and Cornwall Police said officers are trying to locate a handbag belonging to the woman which she was believed to have been carrying when she entered the water. The handbag is described as leather-style, orange or peach in colour with a shoulder strap, measuring approximately 30cm by 30cm, and is thought to contain several personal items with significant sentimental value. The force said the family would take great comfort in being reunited with these belongings.
Water safety warning
Ross Macleod, water safety manager at the RNLI, said the deaths were a "tragic reminder around how dangerous open water can be" and urged people to visit lifeguarded beaches and be aware of the risks.
Adrian Mayhew, director of operations and safety at Surf Life Saving Great Britain, warned that many people were unaware sea and river temperatures could remain dangerously cold even during warm weather, potentially causing a fatal "cold shock response" when entering the water. He explained that cold shock could rapidly affect a person's ability to swim regardless of age or fitness, as the body diverts blood towards vital organs.
Anyone finding themselves in difficulty in the water is urged to "float to live" by lying on their back, staying calm and allowing the initial shock to pass before calling for help.