Shropshire fisherman dies after being swept to sea in Cornwall

The 62-year-old was fishing off rocks at Trebarwith Strand, near Tintagel, when the accident happened on Tuesday.

Falmouth Coastguard were alerted to the incident after receiving a 999 call at around 1.52pm on Tuesday from a young man reporting that his friend was in trouble.

The man had run to a life bouy that was positioned close to the rocks and had thrown it to his friend who was unable to reach it.

Falmouth Coastguard called out the Boscastle and Port Isaac Coastguard rescue teams, and requested the launch of the Port Isaac RNLI inshore lifeboat and a rescue helicopter. Beach lifeguards from Trebarwith also paddled their board to the location.

The man was winched from the water by an RNAS Culdrose helicopter and taken to The Royal Cornwall Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Neil Oliver, Watch Manager, Falmouth Coastguard said: “The weather conditions in the area at the time of the incident were Southerly Force 4, which was producing a heavy swell, and good visibility.

“The man was washed off the rocks and his friend made every effort to save him.

“The Coastguard advises that anglers who are fishing near the waters edge and from an unstable platform that they should wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.

“If you are undertaking activities at the coast, it is advisable to have a means of communication in case of emergency.”