Hero Dad Di-es Trying to Save Daughter Swept Away by Powerful Waves During Family Holiday
A father died while trying to save his daughter after she was swept out to sea during a holiday in Newquay, an inquest has heard.
John Peter Collins, 66, and Samantha Adele Collins were fishing on rocks at Fistral Beach on July 26 when the 32-year-old fell into the water.
Mr Collins then jumped into the sea to try and save his daughter but both were pronounced dead once emergency services brought them onto dry land.
Cornwall Coroner’s Court heard their family, from Doncaster in South Yorkshire, had been on holiday in the seaside town.
Assistant coroner Emma Hillson said: ‘Samantha Collins was on holiday with her family in Newquay.
‘She and her father were fishing on rocks when Samantha was dragged into the sea.
‘John tried to save her, but very sadly was unable to do so and they both lost their lives.’
Adele Collins, the wife of Mr Collins and mother of Miss Collins, identified their bodies, the hearing was told.
+2
View gallery
Samantha Adele Collins, who drowned alongside her father, after she fell into the sea at a beach in Cornwall
+2
View gallery
A helicopter swoops in to help with the rescue in at Fistral Beach on July 26
Post-mortem examinations were performed at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske on July 29 where a provisional cause of death of drowning was recorded for both the father and daughter.
‘Given the reported circumstances of the death, and the provisional cause of death, I have reason to suspect the death may be as a result of an unnatural cause,’ the coroner said.
‘I am going to adjourn for a provisional full hearing date of July 19 2027 at 10am, with a time estimate of three hours.
‘This will be a joint inquest.’
The hearing in Truro heard Mr Collins was married and a retired technical engineer, while his daughter was single.
Devon and Cornwall Police previously confirmed officers were called to Fistral Beach at about 9.45pm on July 26.
Emergency services attended, but the pair were pronounced dead at the scene.
Samantha was believed to have entered the water carrying a handbag, described as orange or peach in colour, with a shoulder strap.
A police spokesperson previously said it was ‘thought to contain a number of personal items of great sentimental value to her loved ones’.
‘At what is an incredibly difficult time for the family, they would take great comfort in being reunited with these belongings if possible,’ she added.
Anyone who finds a bag matching the description was asked to hand it into Newquay police station, or to contact police with the incident number 50260197209.
