A woman has been confirmed dead after swimming of the coast of Cornwall.
The 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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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.
Police have yet to identify the woman or contact her 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.
Portreath beach, like all beaches in Cornwall, experiences 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.
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