Cornwall surfer deaths: Rescuer 'died saving others'

Two of the three people who died in a surfing accident off the coast of Cornwall have been named by police.

Rachel Dunn, 42, and Kevin Reynolds, 44, both from St Austell, died after being caught by strong currents off a beach in Newquay, Cornwall, despite rescue attempts by the public and emergency services.

The name of the third victim, 52-year-old knee surgeon Stuart Calder, will not be confirmed by police following a request by his family.

All three were pulled unconscious from the water off Mawgan Porth beach in Newquay on Saturday.

A 52-year-old hospital consultant was one of three surfers who died after getting into difficulty in the sea at Mawgan Porth beach in Newquay, Cornwall.

Stuart Calder and two other adults died despite rescue attempts by the public and emergency services.

Mr Calder was an orthopedic surgeon from Leeds and a father of four.

• Read: RNLI release video of attempt to rescue surfers

The RNLI has released a dramatic video of its attempt to save three surfers who died after being caught by strong currents off a beach in Newquay, Cornwall.

One of the victims was a 52-year-old surgeon from Leeds.

ITV News reporter Richard Pallot reports:

One of the three people who died in a surfing accident in Cornwall could have been trying to save a group of teenagers in difficulty.

Speaking to the BBC, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution said initial reports suggest one of the casualties had entered the waves in a rescue attempt.

Four children, thought to be in their teens, managed to get out of the water and survived.

Steve Instance, RNLI lifeguard manager for the South West of England, said:

More: Review planned over lifeguard Autumn work pattern

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution will review its plans for providing lifeguards during the autumn half-term at a Cornish beach where three people died in a surfing tragedy at the weekend.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said that lifeguards man Mawgan Porth Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, from March to September and confirmed there would have been none patrolling there yesterday.

But the lifesaving organisation explained that there would have been "clear signs" indicating the lack of lifeguard cover for beachgoers.

Local councillor John Fitter said that his "personal sympathy" went to the families involved and that there was "no criticism of the RNLI at all."

More: Details of those who died in Newquay tragedy

Police say the people who were killed in the sea at Mawgan Porth near Newquay yesterday have not been formally identified.

Officers believe they are a 52-year-old man from the Leeds area, a 44 year-old man from St Austell and a 42 year-old woman from St Austell.

The four youngsters who were in the sea were all boys and were two aged 18, one aged 16 and one aged 15. All four were taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital as a precaution.

Rip currents "will take someone out to sea" very quickly and can be scary for anyone who is caught up in them, a coastal safety manager has warned.

James Millidge of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) explained to Good Morning Britain how vulnerable swimmers and surfers would be if caught up in a rip current and how to swim to safety.

Police in Devon and Cornwall confirmed one of the men who died in a surfing incident in Newquay was in his fifties and was from out of the force area. His family has been contacted.

The other man and woman who died were both in their forties and from Cornwall.

Three surfers who died at Mawgan Porth Beach in Newquay were probably 'caught in a rip current' according to emergency services.

Officials are now trying to trace their next of kin as ITV News reporter Duncan Golastani reports:

Members of the public assisted with the rescue operation after seven surfers got into difficulty at a beach in Cornwall, the local Coastguard said.

This video is care of Mitchell Naylor, @KernowViddy.