A man has died on holiday after going swimming off the north Devon coast. The man, who was in his 70s, suffered a medical episode on Tuesday afternoon (July 4) at Croyde beach.
An air ambulance was called to the scene and RNLI lifeguards performed CPR, but the man was later declared dead. His death is not being treated as suspicious, DevonLive reports.
Devon and Cornwall Police said today (Wednesday): "Police were called by lifeguards at around 1:40pm on Tuesday 5 July, who were giving CPR to a male on Croyde Beach. It is believed that the man, a person in his 70s from the Kent area, suffered a medical episode whilst in the water.
"He was evacuated from the area but later declared deceased. His next of kin has been informed and this death is not being treated as suspicious. A file is to be prepared for the coroner."
One shocked family praised the emergency services: "So many people worked so hard. It was a serious incident at Croyde beach with the RNLI lifeguards, then paramedics, police, air ambulance and coastguard. The helicopter landed. There were eight police, four paramedics, three coastguard vans and coastguards on call.
"As my husband and children had come out of the sea 20 minutes before, it really makes you think - so many people in such a small space between the flags."
A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed that Croyde RNLI Lifeguards, Coastguard rescue teams from Croyde, IIfracombe and Mortehow, Devon and Cornwall Police, South West Ambulance Service and an Air Ambulance all attended the incident.
A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed that Croyde RNLI Lifeguards, Coastguard rescue teams from Croyde, IIfracombe and Mortehow, Devon and Cornwall Police, South West Ambulance Service and an Air Ambulance all attended the incident.
