Jacob Cockle - drowned in a Cornwall estuary - may have been filming whirlpool

Police warn others of the dangers of whirlpools

The man who was found floating in a Cornwall estuary may have been filming whirlpools when he died, police have said.

Jacob Cockle, 28, from Hayle, was found around 9pm on Tuesday and airlifted to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, where he was pronounced dead. Devon and Cornwall Police said they found camera equipment at the scene.

Mr Cockle's family warned others in a statement: "Take heed of any warning signs present.

"My family and I are now dealing with the loss of a loving, caring, son and we would not wish this on anyone else."

Det Con Damian Ayling said police were warning people to stay away from whirlpools, saying: "I knew nothing about this whirlpool issue, but since seeing footage online it's quite clear that getting into the water by a whirlpool is so dangerous.

"There are warnings in place where the incident happened. Our advice is stay away from whirlpools.

"You do not know the weight of the water, or how far it's going down."

Mr Cockle, a photographer and body boarder, was "one of the nicest, friendliest waterman you could meet," according to friend Lee Harvey.