Father and daughter who drowned off coast of Britain's top surfing beach have been named

By JOHN SIDDLE and BEN ENDLEY, REPORTER Published: 16:05, 3 August 2026 | Updated: 16:06, 3 August 2026 A father and his daughter have been named after drowning off the coast at a top UK surfing beach.  Samantha Adele Collins, 32, died at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, on July 26, alongside her father John Peter Collins, 66. The pair, both from Doncaster in South Yorkshire, were recovered from the water by rescue crews and declared dead by paramedics. Mr Collins and his daughter were named by the Cornwall coroner ahead of an opening hearing of their inquests tomorrow. Emergency crews were called to Fistral Beach at about 9.45pm following reports that two people had entered the sea. Witnesses claimed that Samantha entered the water carrying a handbag and was followed by John who attempted to save his daughter. Sand Phoenix said he was sleeping on the beach when the coastguard and ambulance service were called. He sprinted to help with the search. He claimed the male victim was fully clothed and had 'gone in to try and rescue his daughter', adding: 'He had been pulled from the water but had been submerged for about seven minutes. A helicopter swoops in to help with the rescue in at Fistral Beach in Cornwall on July 26 Coastguard and locals in the sea as they try to save the man and woman in the water 'I had an adrenaline pen, which I used on him, and tried to give him oxygen, but his lungs were full of water and there was no response,' he said. 'The paramedics arrived and carried on performing 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 fallen in.' Witnesses described rough seas, strong winds and large waves crashing against rocks near the beach on the night of the tragedy. Another eyewitness said: 'Another man came up soaking wet and wrapped in a foil blanket. He knew them and had been trying to help. I'm just in shock. It was awful to watch. 'A man came running up the cliff saying there were people drowning in the water. A woman was desperately trying to ring someone but couldn't get through and was in tears. 'They recovered one body on the beach, while the other was brought up the cliff.' Nine emergency vehicles and a helicopter rushed to the long and sandy Cornish beach, known as the 'home of British surfing'. Devon and Cornwall Police have also appealed for help finding a handbag Samantha was carrying when she entered the water. Coastguard officials at the scene at Fistral after a father and daughter died in the water The bag, which is believed to contain items of sentimental value, is described as leather-style, with a shoulder strap, and orange or peach in colour. It measures approximately 30cm by 30cm. A force spokesman said at the time: 'A father and daughter have sadly died following an incident at Fistral Beach, Newquay, on Sunday evening. 'Police were called by the South Western Ambulance Service at around 9.45pm on July 26 after reports that two people had been recovered from the water. 'Coastguard rescue teams from Newquay, Padstow and St Agnes attended the scene, alongside Newquay RNLI lifeboats and a HM Coastguard helicopter. 'Despite the best efforts of emergency services, a woman in her 30s and a man in his 60s, who were both from Doncaster, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Their families have been informed, and thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time.' Holidaymaker Glyn Thomas, 68, who witnessed the rescue efforts said: 'I could hear the helicopter flying low overhead and there were three or four ambulances parked up along the road. 'We saw a couple of surfers being led into the back of an ambulance in silver foil blankets and paramedics doing CPR on somebody. 'It was still light when it happened and there had been a few surfers around and people walking over the rocks.' Locals said the beach was battered by high winds and choppy conditions yesterday evening with visitors often caught out by rip tides and unpredictable currents on the beach. Barrie Phillips, who runs the Pink Flamingo ice cream van, said: 'I was told one went in after another, people often fish on those rocks and you also get people jumping into the water. 'But the surf last night was so volatile with high winds and rough seas. Fistral is infamous for its rip tides and people do get into trouble.' Holidaymaker Glyn Thomas, 68, said: 'I could hear the helicopter flying low overhead and there were three or four ambulances parked along the road. 'We saw a couple of surfers being led into the back of an ambulance in silver foil blankets and paramedics doing CPR on somebody.' Fistral Beach is famed for its powerful Atlantic swells and hosts major competitions, including the Boardmasters Open Surf Championship. The beach is also a major tourist attraction, drawing estimates of between 750,000 and 1million visitors each year. Locals have told how people can be caught out by rip currents and rapidly changing sea conditions.  The latest deaths mean that more than 40 people have drowned in open water across the UK since May – during which the country has seen successive periods of hot weather. Anyone who finds Samantha's handbag, or has information about its location, has been asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police.