Man, 79, dies while snorkelling

An elderly man has died while snorkelling off a Cornish beach.

The man who was 79 and local, was snorkelling off Plaidy beach at Looe on Wednesday evening when the alarm was raised by people on the beach.

The man was brought ashore in an inflatable boat and attempts were made to revive him by members of the public, Looe coastguards and an ambulance crew.

He was flown to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital by a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose where he was declared dead.

'Every effort'

It is thought he could have suffered a heart attack while in the sea.

Roger Davis, watch manager at Brixham Coastguard, said: "We would like to extend our condolences to the family of this local man who was pronounced dead at the hospital.

"Every effort was made to revive him on the beach by our own local Coastguard team and paramedics, but sadly to no avail.

"We would like to thank members of the public for their co-operation on this crowded beach during this operation."