20/07/2009

Cornish Tragedy Unfolds As Surfer Dies

Summer beach fun turned to tragedy at the weekend as a 51-year-old man died and a 14-year-old boy was hospitalised after they had to be rescued from the surf at Newquay in Cornwall.

The pair, believed to be a father and son from Essex, were 'boogie boarding' at Fistral beach when they got into difficulties just after 7pm yesterday and although they were pulled from the water and flown by a rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose (pictured) to Truro's Treliske Hospital, the older victim was later pronounced dead at hospital.

Devon and Cornwall Police said that the boy was detained in hospital, suffering from shock and hypothermia, but was recovering well.

The family were on holiday and were staying at an apartment in the seaside resort of Newquay, which is a popular haunt for surfers and boogie boarders because of its waves.

Emergency services were alerted after a woman dialled 999 to report that people were entering the water to try to get the pair out.

Boogie boarding, also known as bodyboarding, is a form of wave-riding using a board of foam, smaller than a surfboard.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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