Two female divers have died after being pulled from a loch after a search and rescue operation.
Despite the efforts of emergency crews, a 26-year-old woman was pronounced dead on Loch Fyne by paramedics on Sunday afternoon.
The alarm was raised at about 3.30pm, with the Coastguard and lifeboat crews involved in the rescue operation.
Searches continued before the body of a second diver, a 24-year-old woman, was recovered from the loch.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said they had received a ‘report of concern for two female divers’.
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The spokesperson said: ‘Emergency services attended and a 26-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
‘Further searches were carried out in the water and the body of a 24-year-old woman was recovered.
‘The deaths are being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.’
Divers travel from all over the world to explore Loch Fyne, offering the opportunity to swim with seals, dolphins and explore pristine reefs full of anemones.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: ‘Operations control mobilised two pumps and water rescue resources to assist a multi-agency search and rescue.
‘Our thoughts are very much with their family, friends, and the wider community at this difficult time.
Hours later, another woman and a man died after being pulled from the water at one of Cornwall’s most popular beaches.
Emergency services were called to Fistral Beach in Newquay at around 9.45pm on Sunday following reports that two people had been recovered from the sea.
Police and emergency responders attended the scene, but despite their efforts, both casualties were pronounced dead at the scene.
Devon and Cornwall Police have since said that the families of the man and woman have both been informed.
A spokesperson for the force said: ‘Police were called by the South Western Ambulance Service at around 9.45pm on Sunday 26 July following reports that two people had been recovered from the water at Fistral Beach, Newquay.
‘Emergency services attended and a cordon was put in place, which has since been removed.
‘Sadly, a man and a woman were pronounced deceased at the scene. Their families have been informed, and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.’
The deaths are not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner.
One person, who was at the scene on his holiday and wishes to remain anonymous, said they saw police drag two people out of the water by the rocks at Fistral Beach.
They told Metro: ‘At around 9.30am we saw two people dragging a body out of the water by the rocks on Fistral Beach.
‘They started CPR and called for help; within five to 10 minutes a paramedic was there and rushed down to the beach as well as others.
‘On the rocks, people were still waving frantically and within another 10 minutes more ambulances arrived as well as two coastguard boats and a coastguard helicopter who put someone from the helicopter onto the rocks.
‘The road was cordoned off by police as a big crowd had gathered. Within 15 minutes there was more than 10 emergency vehicles including police and ambulances.
‘They worked tirelessly on both people and at around 11:30 the lights stopped and ambulances packed up.’
Fistral Beach is renown for being one of the best surfing destinations in the UK and it regularly attracts thousands of visitors during the summer months.
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