Double tragedy: Man swept to sea as he spread his sister's ashes

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has called off the search operation to find 51-year-old Shane Galliers.

15:28 02 February 2015

51-year-old Shane Galliers was swept to sea after he was caught by a large wave as he scattered his sister’s ashes, it has been declared. He was last seen at around 5pm on Saturday at Port William, near the village of Tintagel in north Cornwall.

Coastguards were called to search for him but due to gale-force winds and rough seas, he was not found.

Mr Galliers' mother, Patricia Howells was understandably heartbroken. He said: "It's all a very big shock for all of us. First I lost my daughter and now I have lost my son, it's so difficult to come to terms with."

Jasmine Bird, whose mother's ashes were being scattered by Mr Galliers, told BBC News: "This is a very personal spot for the family.

"Most members of the family that have passed away are brought here to be scattered.

"My mum and him were incredibly close. They kept each other sane throughout the entirety of their lives."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: “The search, coordinated by Falmouth Coastguard, for the man who was washed into the sea from the north Cornwall coast has now finished, although sadly no sign has been found of him.

"Coastguard teams from Port Isaac and Boscastle have been carrying out a shoreline search this morning."

"Despite treacherous conditions with gale force winds and heavy seas, two other members of the group that he was with went into the sea in an attempt to rescue him but were unsuccessful.

"The two members of the group who attempted the rescue managed to get ashore safely. The male who was swept into the sea remains missing."