A Royal Marine recruit has died after a beach assault drill.
The young trainee was with comrades who jumped from a landing craft near the shoreline at night.
It appears the men, loaded with full kit and a weapon, leapt into deeper water than was thought and became overwhelmed by the conditions in the freezing sea.
The unnamed recruit was found face down in water as the men were due to storm the beach at Tregantle in Whitsand Bay in east Cornwall on Tuesday night.
It is believed he was unconscious.
The young man was given CPR at the scene by military personnel before he was flown by air ambulance to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital.
Today a Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed the rookie had died in hospital with his family at his bedside.
The Navy said: "We can confirm the sad death of the Royal Marine who was injured in an incident earlier this week.
"The thoughts and sympathies of the Naval Service go out to the family and friends of the individual.
"The incident is still under investigation, therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further."
