Dad died trying to save his daughter in devastating double drowning, inquest hears

John Peter Collins, 66, lost his life trying to save his daughter Samantha Adele Collins, 32, after she was dragged into the sea while fishing on rocks in Newquay

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A father died while attempting to rescue his daughter after she was swept into the sea, an inquest has heard.

John Peter Collins, 66, and Samantha Adele Collins, 32, were pulled from the water at Fistral Beach in Newquay on July 26. Cornwall Coroner’s Court heard that the family, who hailed from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, had been enjoying a holiday in the coastal 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 so and they both lost their lives.”

The court was told that Adele Collins, wife of Mr Collins and mother of Miss Collins, formally identified both bodies. Post-mortem examinations were carried out at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske on July 29, with drowning given as the provisional cause of death for both.

“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 Truro hearing was told Mr Collins was a retired technical engineer who was married, while his daughter was single. Devon and Cornwall Police previously confirmed officers were called to Fistral Beach at around 9.45pm on July 26.

Both Mr Collins and his daughter were pulled from the water. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but tragically the pair were pronounced dead at the scene.

Miss Collins is understood to have gone into the water with a handbag, described as orange or peach-coloured with a shoulder strap.

A police spokeswoman 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 discovering a bag matching this description is urged to hand it in at Newquay police station, or to contact police quoting incident number 50260197209.

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