Cornwall surfers die after getting caught in rip tide off the coast of Newquay

Seven people were caught in a rip tide at Mawgan Porth beach, Newquay

Mawgan Porth beach (Rex)

Three surfers have died after getting into difficulty in the sea off the coast of Cornwall, police have said.

The Coastguard received “multiple 999 calls” from people at Mawgan Porth beach, in Newquay, at around 1.30pm on Sunday afternoon, reporting that three adults and four children had been caught in a rip tide.

The four children were all located safe and well on shore.

The adults - two men and one woman - were taken unconscious from the sea and transferred to Royal Cornwall Hospital for treatment, where they later died.

The victims have not yet been identified and police are currently tracing their next of kin.

Superintendent Jim Pearce said: "This is a tragic incident and our condolences go out to the families of those involved.

"Along with the other emergency services we are now working to ascertain the full circumstances of this incident and our priority is to contact the families of those involved and offer all the support we can."

The search operation involved Newquay and Padstow Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Newquay and Padstow and the rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose. Police and South West Ambulance crew also attended.

Additional reporting by Press Association