Two people from Doncaster have been formally identified after bodies were recovered from the sea at Fistral Beach in Newquay. The deceased are John Peter Collins, 66, and his daughter Samantha Adele Collins, 32, both named in a police statement following the incident on Sunday 26 July.
Inquests to open in Cornwall
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the pair were pulled from the water and subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner has listed an opening hearing for the inquests at Cornwall Coroner's Court, which sits at Pydar House in Truro, scheduled for Tuesday.
Officers say they had been conducting enquiries at the scene after the two got into difficulty in the sea while visiting the county. Police have also appealed to the public for help in locating a missing item believed to belong to Samantha — a handbag reported to contain items of sentimental value.
"At what is an incredibly difficult time for the family, they would take great comfort in being reunited with these belongings if possible," a force spokesperson said.
What is known so far
- Incident location: Fistral Beach, Newquay.
- Date of incident: Sunday 26 July.
- People named: John Peter Collins, 66, and Samantha Adele Collins, 32, both from Doncaster.
- Next steps: Inquests to be opened at Pydar House, Truro, on Tuesday.
- Ongoing police appeal for a missing handbag containing sentimental items.
Local impact and context
The deaths of two visitors from Doncaster will be felt across family and local networks here in the borough. Inquests are a routine part of the legal process after sudden deaths and will establish the formal circumstances surrounding what happened. Police appeals for personal items often reflect the importance of those belongings to grieving families and can assist investigators in building a fuller picture of events.
Anyone with information about the handbag or who witnessed activity at Fistral Beach on 26 July is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police via their non-emergency channels, quoting the relevant incident for the force to follow up.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Names | John Peter Collins (66); Samantha Adele Collins (32) |
| Location | Fistral Beach, Newquay |
| Date | Sunday 26 July |
| Next step | Inquests opening at Pydar House, Truro, on Tuesday |
Further updates will follow as the coroner's hearing proceeds and police provide more details. Those affected by the story are being offered privacy at this time.
