Father died trying to save his daughter after she was swept out to sea while they were fishing on holiday in Newquay, inquest hears

Published: 19:50, 4 August 2026 | Updated: 19:51, 4 August 2026 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 his 32-year-old daughter Samantha Adele Collins were fishing on rocks at Fistral Beach in Newquay on July 26 when Samantha 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. As the tragedy unfolded, witnesses had initially said that Samantha had been seen in the sea with her handbag.  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. Samantha Adele Collins, who drowned alongside her father  after she fell into the sea at a beach in Cornwall  A helicopter swoops in to help with the rescue in at Fistral Beach in Cornwall on July 26 '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. 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 is 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 is asked to hand it into Newquay police station, or to contact police with the incident number 50260197209.