A man is confirmed to have died following an incident in the sea at Gunwalloe yesterday that also left a teenage boy in hospital.

HM Coastguard said it received a 999 call at around 1.45pm yesterday about two people - one adult and one teenager - in difficulty in the water at Church Cove.

An RNLI lifeboat from Lizard, RNLI beach lifeguards and Mullion Coastguard Rescue Team were all sent, along with the search and rescue helicopter from Newquay and Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Witnesses said that the Coastguard helicopter pulled one person out of the sea, before landing on the beach, where is was subsequently joined by the air ambulance.

Devon and Cornwall Police and South West Ambulance Service were also at the scene.

A coastguard spokesperson said: "The teenager was recovered from the water by the coastguard helicopter and taken to hospital.

"The adult was passed into the care of South West Ambulance Service."

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Devon and Cornwall Police have since confirmed the man, who was in his 50s and on holiday, believed to be from the London area, did not recover consciousness and was confirmed to have died. 

The teenage boy, who was part of the same family, is said to be in a stable condition in hospital. 

A police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 2.20pm following reports that a man and a teenage boy were in difficulty in the sea at Church Cove.

"Officers attended the scene along with HM Coastguard and helicopter, the RNLI, and fire and ambulance services.

"Both males, who were from the same family, were recovered from the sea.

"Despite best efforts by all, the man who was in his 50s, was confirmed deceased at the scene.

"The teenage boy was airlifted to Treliske Hospital where he is believed to be in a stable condition and recovering with his next of kin present.

"The family are thought to have been on holiday from the London area."

Seas have been rough over the past few days due to strong winds hitting Cornwall, with a yellow weather warning in place over Wednesday and Thursday, continuing into today.

PS Dave Pearce, a response sergeant from Truro, referenced the incident on Twitter and warned others to stay safe.

He said: "Tragic incident on the Lizard today. Thinking of all those involved.

"No one should be entering the water in the next couple of days. The sea conditions coupled with spring tides and high winds make things so dangerous."

The RNLI and Coastguard also put out a warning earlier this week, ahead of Storm Ellen arriving.

They said current forecasts for Friday and Saturday were predicting wave heights between six and nine feet on exposed coastline, coupled with strong south westerly winds across the region.

These conditions, alongside large spring tides, can result in a dangerous sea state and increase the risk of strong rip currents, they said.

No one should enter the water if they see a red flag at a lifeguarded beach, as it is unsafe for any water activities - and if there are no flags, there are no lifeguards.