John Peter Collins, 66, died trying to save his daughter Samantha Adele Collins, 32, after she was swept into the sea while they were fishing on holiday in Newquay, an inquest has heard.
The pair were fishing on rocks at Fistral Beach on July 26 when Samantha fell into the water. Mr Collins jumped in to try to save her, but both were pronounced dead after emergency services brought them onto dry land.
Cornwall Coroner's Court heard the family, from Doncaster in South Yorkshire, had been on holiday in the seaside town.
Assistant coroner Emma Hillson said Samantha Collins was on holiday with her family in Newquay when she and her father were fishing on rocks and Samantha was dragged into the sea. Hillson said John tried to save her but was very sadly unable to do so, and they both lost their lives.
Adele Collins, the wife of Mr Collins and mother of Miss Collins, identified their bodies, the hearing was told.
Post-mortem findings and next hearing
Post-mortem examinations took place at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske on July 29, where a provisional cause of death of drowning was recorded for both father and daughter.
The coroner said that given the reported circumstances of the death and the provisional cause of death, she had reason to suspect the death may be the result of an unnatural cause. She adjourned for a provisional full hearing date of July 19, 2027 at 10am, with a time estimate of three hours, and said it would be a joint inquest.
The hearing in Truro was told Mr Collins was married and a retired technical engineer, while his daughter was single.
Missing handbag sought by police
Devon and Cornwall Police previously confirmed officers were called to Fistral Beach at about 9.45pm on July 26. Emergency services attended, but the pair were pronounced dead at the scene.
Samantha was believed to have entered the water carrying a handbag, described as orange or peach in colour with a shoulder strap. A police spokesperson said it was thought to contain a number of personal items of great sentimental value to her loved ones, adding that at what is an incredibly difficult time for the family, they would take great comfort in being reunited with these belongings if possible.
Anyone who finds a bag matching the description was asked to hand it in to Newquay police station or contact police with the incident number 50260197209.
