A 45-year-old man died in what police are calling a ’tragic scuba diving accident’ yesterday evening.

The man was pulled from the sea by members of the public at East Portholland, near St Austell, along with a 12-year-old girl.

Police, Coastguard and paramedics were all at the scene shortly after 5pm. Air ambulance and Coastguard helicopters were also called.

The man was treated by paramedics but was declared dead at the scene. The 12-year-old girl was taken to Derriford Hospital by ambulance. Her condition is not thought to be serious, say police.

Police are in the process of informing next of kin, and are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Superintendent Ian Drummond Smith said: ’The family involved were from outside the area and are believed to have been holidaying in Cornwall. This appears to be a tragic scuba diving accident, and our thoughts are with the man’s relatives and friends at this time.’