Teenagers killed in surf accident

Two body-board surfers - one aged 16, the other aged 19 - died yesterday after getting into difficulties in rough seas off Polzeath, north Cornwall.

Rescuers on board a Royal Navy helicopter that had been scrambled from Culdrose, near Helston, thought the first victim may have still been alive when they picked him up, but was dead on arrival at Treliske Hospital, Truro. The helicopter returned to pick up the second surfer, who had been stuck under a ledge in the cliffs.

A coastguard spokesman said the sea was so rough that the inshore lifeboat was unable to reach them. "That gives you an idea of how bad it was up there," he added.