Man dies after getting into difficulty swimming off Devon coast

A man has died after getting into difficulty while swimming off the coast of Devon.

He was pulled from the water off Blackpool Sands on Monday afternoon but could not be revived by paramedics.

The man, who was in his 40s and from Surrey, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police were called by HM Coastguard at 3.30pm on Monday, August 24 following concerns for the welfare of a man at Blackpool Sands, Strete.

"The man had got into difficulty while swimming in the sea and was recovered from the water by HM Coastguard.

"He was treated at the scene by paramedics.

"Sadly, the man, who was in his 40s from Surrey, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

The death follows a spate of drownings over the summer in the UK.

Last week, three members of the same family died after getting into trouble in the water off Shoreham-by-Sea.

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The father, who died alongside his partner and teenage daughter, was identified as Palestinian refugee Hossam al Khawas.

Earlier this month, an 18-year-old man died after getting into difficulty in the sea at Camber Sands beach in East Sussex.

The tragedies come after numerous people drowned in rivers and lakes across the UK during a series of heatwaves.

During the May heatwave, at least 15 people drowned swimming in open water, mostly young people and teenagers.

Five children are believed to be among this number.

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