John Peter Collins, 66, and his daughter Samantha Adele Collins, 32, from Doncaster, drowned at Fistral Beach in Newquay on July 26, an inquest opening has heard17:26, 04 Aug 2026Updated 17:41, 04 Aug 2026A father and his daughter were swept to their deaths at one of the UK's best-known surfing beaches after he entered the sea in a desperate attempt to rescue her, an inquest opening has heard.‌John Peter Collins, 66, and his daughter Samantha Adele Collins, 32, were pulled from the water at Fistral Beach in Newquay on July 26.‌On Tuesday, Cornwall Coroner's Court heard that the family, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, had been on holiday in the seaside town.‌Assistant coroner Emma Hillson said: "Samantha Collins was on holiday with her family in Newquay. She and her father were fishing on rocks when Samantha was dragged into the sea. John tried to save her, but very sadly was unable to do so and they both lost their lives."Adele Collins, the wife of Mr Collins and mother of Ms Collins, identified their bodies, the hearing was told.‌Post-mortem examinations were performed at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske on July 29. The provisional cause of death for both father and daughter was recorded as drowning."Given the reported circumstances of the death and the provisional cause of death, I have reason to suspect the death may be as a result of an unnatural cause," the coroner said."I am going to adjourn for a provisional full hearing date of July 19, 2027, at 10am, with a time estimate of three hours. This will be a joint inquest."‌The hearing in Truro heard Mr Collins was married and a retired technical engineer, while his daughter was single.Devon and Cornwall Police previously said officers were called to Fistral Beach at about 9.45pm on July 26. Both Mr Collins and his daughter had been recovered from the water. Emergency services attended, but the pair were pronounced dead at the scene.Ms Collins is believed to have entered the water carrying a handbag, described as orange or peach in colour with a shoulder strap.Article continues belowA police spokesperson previously said it was "thought to contain a number of personal items of great sentimental value to her loved ones"."At what is an incredibly difficult time for the family, they would take great comfort in being reunited with these belongings if possible," the spokesperson said.Anyone who finds a bag matching the description is asked to hand it in to Newquay police station or contact police, quoting incident number 50260197209.