A MAN and a woman have died at sea near Britain’s most famous surfing beach.
Emergency services raced to Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, at 9.45pm after two people were pulled from the water.
Cops said in a statement: “Police were called by the South Western Ambulance Service at around 9.45pm on Sunday 26 July following reports that two people had been recovered from the water at Fistral Beach, Newquay.
“Emergency services attended and a cordon was put in place, which has since been removed.
“Sadly, a man and a woman were pronounced deceased at the scene. Their families have been informed, and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.
“A file will be prepared for HM Coroner.”
Locals reported at least nine emergency vehicles and a helicopter at the scene, alongside two lifeboats on the water.
The 750 metre-long beach is known as the “home of British surfing” and is known for massive winter wave swells.
It hosts several surf competitions throughout the year including Boardmasters, and is the birthplace of champion longboarder Ben Skinner.
One eyewitness told The Sun she saw the horror unfold, saying: “A man came running up the cliff saying there were people drowning in the water.
“I went halfway down the cliff and saw people at the edge of the water trying to help people out.
“A woman was desperately trying to ring someone but couldn’t get through.
“I told her we didn’t know who it was in the water but she was in tears.
“There was a helicopter overhead and there was a lifeboat in the water.
“They recovered one body on the beach, while the other one was brought up the cliff.
“Another man came up soaking wet and in a foil blanket. He knew them and had been trying to help. I’m just in shock, it was awful to watch.”
Sand Phoenix, who was sleeping on Fistral Beach when the tragedy unfolded around 9.30pm on Sunday night, said he “sprinted” up to help.
The 33-year-old told The Sun: “He had been pulled out of the water but had been in there about seven minutes.
“I had an adrenaline pen which I jabbed him with and tried to give him oxygen but his lungs were full of water and there was no response.
“The paramedics arrived and carried on trying to give CPR. He was still wearing his trousers so I don’t think he had been swimming.
“It looks like they had been walking near the rocks and had fallen in.”
A coastguard statement read: “HM Coastguard has been responding to an incident in the South Fistral area, Newquay, overnight.
“First informed at around 9.30pm (26 July), Coastguard Rescue Teams from Newquay, Padstow and St Agnes, lifeboats from Newquay RNLI and an HM Coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene, alongside other emergency services.”