Tributes have been paid to a woman with a 'vibrant soul and huge heart' who died in a paddleboarding tragedy.
Emma Louise Powell, 24, lost her life at Conwy Morfa, North Wales. Emma was one of three paddleboarders who got into difficulties at the beauty spot.
A major rescue operation, involving police, the coastguard, ambulance crews, an RNLI crew and the coastguard helicopter, was launched and the three were rescued from the water. But Emma, from Llandudno, passed away in hospital in Bangor in the early hours of Friday morning.
Her family has told of their devastation - paying tribute to 'someone like no other', reports North Wales Live. They have thanked everyone for the messages of support they have received.
In a post on the GoFundMe site, they wrote: "On 15th July 2022 we have sadly lost our beloved Emma Louise. Emma was involved in a tragic accident where she sadly drowned at Conwy Morfa beach.
"Emma was like no other, everyone who was lucky enough to cross paths with her had no choice but to love her. She was a huge happy go lucky personality. She was such a vibrant soul with a huge heart, but could also be a stroppy cow when she wanted to be, but that's just our Emma.
"We are creating this GoFundMe in hopes that Emma’s loved family and friends will help give Emma the big send off she deserves.
"With no plans set ahead yet, what we do know is that Emma is going to have the greatest send off that we possibly can do for her, in Emma’s words “Go Big or Go Home”.
In a statement released through North Wales Police later they said: “Emma was a beautiful young lady, who was adventurous and had a free spirit. She will remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives."
A North Wales Police spokesman said: "We received a call at 10.14pm last night (Thursday) reporting a group of paddleboarders in difficulty in the water off Conwy Morfa.
"Officers attended alongside colleagues from HM Coastguard and Welsh Ambulance, who attended to three casualties. Two of the casualties were taken by ambulance to Ysbyty Gwynedd but sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, one person passed away in hospital.
"The local coroner has been informed, and specialist officers will be supporting the family of the deceased." A spokeswoman for the coastguard said: "An extensive search and rescue was carried out after three people got into difficulty at Beacons Jetty, Conwy last night.
"Coastguard rescue teams from Bangor and Llandudno were sent, along with Conwy RNLI lifeboat, the coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon, the Welsh Ambulance Service and North Wales Police."
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