two women die while swimming off cornish beaches

A woman has died swimming off Portreath Beach in Cornwall (Picture: UKNIP)

Two women have been confirmed dead after swimming off the coast of Cornwall.

One swimmer was pulled from the water at Portreath beach in Redruth this afternoon.

The woman,who is believed to be aged around 50,is thought to have suffered from a cardiac arrest after being rescued from the sea.

She was declared dead at the scene.

Police were alerted to the incident at around 12.35pm following a report from the ambulance service.

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.RNLI lifeguard also attended the incident.Cornwall Live reported that officers were called to the beach to assist paramedics as the popular spot was full of sunbathers at the time.Meanwhile,another woman got into trouble while swimming at Porthcothan beach near Padstow.Her body was recovered from the water at 4.21pm today.Police have yet to identify either of the bodies or their next of kin.

Tips for open water swimmers

Pre-plan

Think about the water temperature and weather. Plan your exit before you get into the water and consider currents,tidal flow and wind direction.

Have the right equipment

Wetsuits help to manage exposure to cold water and insulate against the cold. They also keep you buoyant. Wear a brightly coloured swim hat and take a tow float and whistle to attract attention.

Know your limits

Manage the impact of cold water shock by entering the water slowly,making sure you have control of your breathing before starting your swim. All open water swimming should take place in water at 11 degrees or above,unless you are an experienced and competent cold water swimmer. Never swim alone and swim parallel to the shoreline.

Stay safe

If you do get into difficulty,it’s important you don’t panic. Stay calm and float on your back until you can control your breathing and then continue to swim once again or signal for help.

All beaches in Cornwall experience tides.

Its spring tidal range can be noticeable,considerably affecting water depth.

Beachgoers can be taken by surprise by quickly changing tides,the Met Office has warned.

It comes a day after a woman in her 60s died after drowning off a beach in Lincolnshire.

Emergency services pulled the swimmer out of the water at Skegness Beach at about 5.30pm on Saturday.