Anglers' deaths were accidental

Helen Harris tried to rescue her husband and father-in-law

An inquest into two Devon men who died on a fishing trip in north Cornwall has returned a verdict of accidental death.

John Harris, 68, from Northam, near Bideford and his 39-year-old son Michael from Westward Ho! were on holiday near Padstow last September.

They were fishing at Porthcothan Beach when Mr Harris was swept away by 15ft (4.5m) waves as he tried to untangle his wife's fishing line.

Michael fell in as he tried to pull his father from the water.

Michael's wife Helen Harris then jumped in to try to save her husband and father-in-law.

She was rescued by a Royal Navy helicopter, but the two men drowned.

Peter Blackwell-Smyth, Deputy Cornwall Coroner, commended Helen Harris for her bravery at the inquest in Launceston.