Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

McKayla and Rudy Devon and Cornwall Police
South Fistral Beach

Two-year-old girl who was swept into sea with father at Newquay has died

Lisinda Bruynius has paid tribute to her daughter and husband, who died last Friday.

A TWO-YEAR-OLD GIRL who was swept into the sea with her father at Newquay last Friday has died.

Mckayla Bruynius died at Bristol Children’s Hospital last night, police have confirmed.

Her father, Rudy Bruynius (33), died in the tragedy on Friday.

Lisinda Bruynius, their wife and mother, has paid tribute to them in a statement released via Devon and Cornwall Police.

“Rudy was a loving, caring and supportive husband, father and friend. He had a great sense of humour and was an active person. He always put other people first. Mckayla was a busy bee and always happy.

I am in disbelief at what has happened. I am so shocked at how quickly the sea condition changed on that day whilst we were enjoying a family time together in Cornwall. I pray that others can learn from our tragedy as I do not wish for anybody to go through our grief.

“I would like to thank the RNLI, the staff at Royal Cornwall Hospital, the staff from Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, the emergency services and all the members of public for their generous support and prayers they have given towards my family.

“I would especially like to thank the people of Cornwall for their messages of love and offers of help. I will never forget the close community spirit displayed towards us. Please respect our privacy at this really difficult time and allow my sons and I to try to come to terms with what has happened.”

Large wave

The family of five were on rocks at South Fistral Beach at around 5.20pm on Friday when Rudy, Lisinda and Mckayla were swept into the sea by a large wave.

Rudy and Lisinda were rescued from the water by the RNLI. Lifeguards carried out CPR on Rudy before he was airlifted to Treliske Hospital. He died in hospital on Friday evening.

Mckayla was recovered from the sea by an RNLI lifeboat before being flown to Derriford Hospital. She was later transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital where she died last night.

The family’s two sons managed to stay on the rocks and were located by the Coast Guard. They sustained minor injuries before being taken by ambulance to Treliske.

The family, who are from the Surrey area, were holidaying in the Newquay area when the incident happened.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jarrod Yewen, from Newquay CID, said: “This is a tragic case for all those involved and our thoughts remain with the family at what is a deeply traumatic time for them.

“The deaths are not being investigated as suspicious therefore the police will now prepare a file for HM Coroner and an inquest will be held in due course.”

Read: Two children have died and 60 ancient temples have been damaged in a massive earthquake in Myanmar

Read: “We are stuck inside and very afraid”: Militants attack American University in Afghanistan

Your Voice
Readers Comments
9
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.