Family and friends were today coming to terms with the death of a Basildon man who was swept off rocks in Cornwall after coastguards called off the search for his body.
James Burnett, 20, of Felmores, was knocked unconscious as he fell into the sea at Fox Cove, near Padstow, at about 2.25pm on Monday.
A rescue team resumed a shoreline search at low tide yesterday morning as the St Merryn Coastguard Rescue Team scoured the coastline with binoculars for Mr Burnett's body.
However, by mid-afternoon coastguards said poor sea conditions meant there was little more that could be done.
Mr Burnett's family were reported to have travelled to Cornwall after hearing about the accident.
His girlfriend, thought to be from Stanford-le-Hope, jumped into the choppy sea to try to save the young man but strong currents swept him away.
The woman managed to cling to a rock and was eventually hauled to safety by a rescue helicopter crew.
Jenny Hore, station officer of St Merryn Auxiliary Coastguard, said: "The girlfriend had mild hypothermia."
Published Wednesday August 11, 2004
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