Police in Newquay have launched drop-in sessions for witnesses after a father died when his entire family was washed into the sea while they watched the waves yesterday evening.

Officers have said the hoildaying family of five, including a two-year-old girl, got into difficulties as they stood on rocks at South Fistral Beach.

Coastguards received a 999 call at 5.20pm to say two adults and a child had been washed into the water.

Two other children had managed to scramble back onto the rocks. 

RNLI lifeguards rescued the mother using their jetski, with the father and the two-year-old girl recovered from the sea by an RNLI lifeboat.

Both Newquay lifeboats were involved in the rescue, along with Fistral RNLI lifeguards, the Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team, the coastguard helicopter from Newquay, police, helimed and ambulance service.

The toddler and her father, who was in his 30s, were taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro by the coastguard helicopter and the helimed helicopter.

However, the coastguard gave an update this morning to say: “The man, sadly, has since died in hospital.”

The toddler remains in hospital and her current condition is not known, while her mum, who suffered minor injuries, remains with her. 

The two other children were picked up from the rocks by coastguards and were driven to Treliske by ambulance, also with minor injuries. 

The family, from the Surrey area, were on holiday in Newquay. 

Police have now launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident and are appealing for witnesses, with the beach busy with people at the time.

Anyone who saw the incident or has information which can assist the investigation is being asked to attend Newquay police station today (Saturday) between 2pm and 4pm, or tomorrow between 10am and 2pm.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jarrod Yewen, from Newquay CID, said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

“We are investigating the circumstances of the incident and we would like to speak to anyone who was on the beach at the time. We are asking people to attend Newquay police station today or tomorrow to enable them to talk to us in person about this incident.”

Anyone who cannot attend the station but may have information that can help the investigation is asked to contact police via email at101@dc.police.uk or by telephone on 101, quoting log number 681 of 19/08/16 or enquiry number EN/16703/16.

The RNLI has since tweeted on Twitter it’s condolences to the family, writing: “Our thoughts are with the family and all of those involved in yesterday’s tragic accident in Newquay.”

Sergeant Harry Tangye, from Devon and Cornwall Police, also tweeted: “Horrible incident coming in from Newquay with coastguard and lifeboat involved. Thinking of those involved. Hug your family.”

A weather warning was in place across Cornwall yesterday, due to the strong winds.

In Porthleven, on the south west coast, coastguards from the port were joined by a team from Mullion Coastguards on “weather watch” as large waves were whipped around the harbour.