Man dies after being swept into Newquay sea with family by giant wave

A man died and his two-year-old daughter is in critical condition after being swept off rocks and into the sea in Cornwall.

Giant waves washed the man, his child and wife into the Celtic Sea at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall at 5.20pm on Friday, the coastguard said.

Lifeguards rescued the woman using a jetski, while the man and child were pulled from the water by an RNLI lifeboat. The man and child were airlifted to hospital, where the man died.

The man and child were airlifted to hospital, where the man died.

The child remains in a life threatening condition.

Police said two other members of the family of five suffered minor injuries and shock.

The RNLI said that the sea became rough between 4pm-5.30pm, with crews called to three rescues.

Falmouth Coastguard controller James Instance told the Telegraph: "It has to be said that conditions were extreme.

"We went through a 24-hour period in which waves went from half a metre to 3-4 metres, with 10ft [3m] breaking waves in this area.

"The people were swept into sea very close to rocks when they were eventually found were 50-60m off in what were absolutely treacherous conditions."

With 10ft-13ft waves breaking on the coast, Falmouth coasguards said a "significant response" team was sent to the incident, including police, coastguards.

The RNLI tweeted: "Our thoughts are with the family and all of those involved in yesterday's tragic accident in Newquay."