Police are dealing with a serious incident in Newquay in which three people have died.

Officers were called by the Coastguard after reports that seven people were in difficulty in the water off Mawgan Porth Beach.

The RNLI, Coastguard, Police, ambulance service, air ambulance and search and rescue helicopter from Culdrose were all involved in the rescue. Three people, understood to be surfers, were taken unconscious from the sea and taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital for treatment in a serious condition.

All three people were later pronounced deceased in hospital. They are two men and one woman.

The victims have not yet been identified and police are currently tracing their next of kin. The remaining four people are accounted for and are safe.

Supt Jim Pearce said: “This is a tragic incident and our condolences go out to the families of those involved. "Along with the other emergency services we are now working to ascertain the full circumstances of this incident and our priority is to contact the families of those involved and offer all the support we can.”