A helicopter from RNAS Culdrose took Mr Boda to hospital

Jan Boda, 42, dived into the water in Tintagel, Cornwall, to rescue his 12-year-old daughter Aimee when she slipped from the rocks.

The IT worker from Loughborough was found face down in the sea - his daughter survived.

Friends of the family said they were left devastated by the tragedy, which happened on Tuesday afternoon.

'Polite girl'

Aimee is being treated for hypothermia after spending 45 minutes in the water.

She had just started Humphrey Perkins High School and was often seen playing in the street near her home with her 10-year-old brother Adam.

She was just minutes from drowning as a result of exhaustion and hypothermia when she was rescued by the Coastguard.

Her father was airlifted by helicopter to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro where he was pronounced dead.

His daughter was taken by lifeboat to Boscastle then flown to the same hospital, where she was joined by her mother, Susan, a languages teacher, and her brother.

One neighbour said: "It is just tragic. The kids have lost their dad and she has lost her husband.

"I know Aimee. She plays with my two kids. She is lovely. A really well-mannered, bright, lovely girl.

A lifeboat, cliff rescuers and a helicopter from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose were used in the rescue operation.