A "much-loved" man who died after getting into difficulty in water off the Cornwall coast has been named as a father-of-two from Radlett.

Paul Mullen, 56, died following the tragic incident while on holiday in Church Cove, Gunwalloe, on August 20.

The emergency services received a 999 call about two people - one adult and one teenager - in difficulty in the water at Church Cove.

An RNLI lifeboat, RNLI beach lifeguards and a coastguard rescue team were all sent, along with the search and rescue helicopter from Newquay and Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Devon and Cornwall Police and South West Ambulance Service were also sent to the scene.

The Falmouth Packet reported witnesses seeing a man being pulled from the sea and onto the beach.

Mr Mullen did not regain consciousness and police confirmed his death.

The teenage boy, Mr Mullen’s son, Oliver, was airlifted to hospital.

He has since returned home where he is recovering.

An inquest into the death of Mr Mullen opened in Cornwall on Wednesday.

Mr Mullen was a director at London-based at Anders Electronics plc.

The company paid tribute to Mr Mullen describing him as a “highly respected and much loved leader”.

A tribute on the company's website from chairman Bernard Lim says: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Paul Mullen, our Director and General Manager of Anders Electronics plc, passed away on Thursday 20th August 2020 in a tragic accident while on vacation with his family.

“Paul and his teenage son were rescued by the emergency services off the coast of Cornwall, England and his son was air-lifted to hospital and is now recovering at home with his family. Sadly, Paul did not regain consciousness.

“Paul was a highly respected and much loved leader and his tragic and untimely loss will leave a tremendous gap in the lives of the great many people who have been so fortunate to know him.

“Paul joined Anders in 2009 and has led it’s growth and success over the last eleven years including the merger of the company with Selectronic UK in March 2020. His family and our team are heartbroken and his leadership, commitment, energy and passion will be missed by all.

“Our thoughts are with Paul’s wife Eleanor, his daughter Lara and his son Oliver at this truly devastating time.”