https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11123007/Man-70s-dies-sea-National-Fireworks-championships-UKs-25th-drowning-summer.htmlMan in his 70s dies in the sea at National Fireworks championships as heatwave claims its 25th drowning victim
Man in his 70s died after falling in water at Sutton Harbour, Plymouth, last night
A woman was also pulled to safety at around 11pm after allegedly falling off boat
It occurred on the first day of the celebrated National Fireworks Championships
Devon & Cornwall Police said the man's death is not being treated as suspicious
By Stewart Carr For Mailonline
Published: 11:06, 18 August 2022 | Updated: 14:24, 18 August 2022
A man in his 70s sadly died during the National Fireworks championships last night after he was found struggling in the sea. Police confirmed that a woman was also pulled to safety in the rescue effort at Sutton Harbour in Plymouth, Devon. Devon and Cornwall Police received reports of people in the water and in distress - they attended the scene alongside the coastguard. Members of the public managed to pull the man and the woman out of the water at around 11pm. They performed CPR on the man, from Kingsbridge, but were unable to save him. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Despite the best efforts by all at the scene, the man who was in his 70s and from the Kingsbridge area, was declared deceased at the scene. This death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is to be prepared for the coroner.'
His next of kin have been informed. One woman was taken to hospital as a precaution it is understood that she will make a full recovery. The incident is also being referred to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. The man's death comes just four days after a double tragedy in which a teenage boy died in the sea at Skegness, Lincolnshire, and a 21-year-old man drowned in a lake at Doncaster, South Yorkshire. A 14-year old girl was also found drowned in a waterway in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, on Monday. In all, it brings the UK's drowning death toll this summer to 25. A marine accident investigation has been launched into the incident at Sutton Harbour, alongside the police investigation. A large number of police, ambulance and coastguard vehicles were spotted at the scene. A Devon & Cornwall Police spokesman said: 'Units attended along with Coastguard Search and Rescue. By the time emergency services had arrived, two people were out of the water thanks to the swift action of the public who were also undertaking CPR on an unconscious man. Despite the best efforts of all at the scene, the man who was in his 70s and from the Kingsbridge area, was declared deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. One woman was taken to hospital as a precaution and should make a full recovery. This death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is to be prepared for the coroner.'
The two people are thought to have been on a boat before ending up in the harbour. The incident happened as the third firework display was coming to an end. It is not yet known if the incidents are definitely linked. It is the 25th anniversary of the championships in the city. The massive displays are set off from the Mount Batter pier across Plymouth Sound with thousands of people looking on. The two-day waterfront event is run by The Event Services Association (Tesa) in partnership with Plymouth City Council. Kevin Minton, Tesa events co-ordinator, said: 'It's a very sad occurrence, and we would like to pass on our condolences to the person's family.'
This year was the event's 25th anniversary and six of the UK's top fireworks display companies got the chance to show 10 minute-long displays before a winner was announced.
