Fisherman drowns off Devon

Croyde Bay is a well-known surfing beach

An angler has drowned in the sea while drag-net fishing off a sand bar in north Devon.

The man was fishing off Croyde Bay at 0420BST on Wednesday when he fell off one side of a sand bar and slipped into deep water.

The alarm was raised by a friend fishing alongside him who ran to a nearby caravan site.

Swansea Coastguards were alerted and called a rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor.

Coastguard teams from Croyde and Mortehoe were also sent to the scene along with the Appledore RNLI inshore lifeboat.

The lifeboat spotted a body in the water and the man was given first aid.

He was airlifted to the North Devon District Hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.

The incident is now being investigated by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

Croyde Bay is a surfing magnet and is a popular tourist area.