‘Beautiful, happy woman, 24, drowns as emergency services rush to rescue her and two other paddleboarders in beach tragedy’
- Emma Louise Powell died on a beach in Wales while paddleboarding on Thursday
- The 24-year-old drowned after getting into trouble with two of her friends
- Devastated family has paid tribute to Emma describing her as ‘happy go lucky’
A ‘beautiful and happy go lucky’ woman who lost her life in a paddleboard tragedy has been named by her heartbroken loved ones.
The family of Emma Louise Powell, 24, have spoken of their devastation after she died following the incident at Conwy Morfa in North Wales.
Emma was one of three paddleboarders who got into trouble at the beauty spot on Thursday night.
A major rescue operation, involving police, coastguard, ambulance personnel, an RNLI crew and the coastguard helicopter, was launched and the three were rescued from the water.
Sadly, Emma passed away in the early hours of Friday morning in Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.
The Llandudno woman’s family has thanked everyone for the messages of support they have received.
The family of Emma Louise Powell, 24, (pictured above) have spoken of their devastation over her death after she got into trouble while paddleboarding at Conwy Morfa in North Wales
Paddleboarding emergency services at Conwy Morfa . beach incident
In a post on the GoFundMe site, they wrote: “We have sadly lost our beloved Emma Louise. Emma was involved in a tragic accident where she unfortunately drowned on the beach at Conwy Morfa.
“Emma was like no other, anyone lucky enough to cross her path had no choice but to love her. She was a huge happy go lucky personality.
‘She was such a lively soul with a big heart, but could also be a messy cow if she wanted to, but that’s just our Emma.
“We are creating this GoFundMe in the hope that Emma’s beloved family and friends will give Emma the big goodbye she deserves.
“There are no plans yet, but what we do know is that Emma will get the best goodbye we can do for her, in Emma’s words ‘Go Big or Go Home’.
In a statement later released by North Wales Police, they added: ‘Emma was a beautiful young lady, adventurous and free spirited. She will remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives.’
Emma (above) was one of three paddleboarders who got into trouble on Thursday night
Earlier today, a North Wales Police spokesman said: ‘We received a call at 10:14pm last night about a group of paddleboarders in difficulty in the water off Conwy Morfa.
Officers attended alongside colleagues from HM Coastguard and Welsh Ambulance, who attended to three victims.
“Two of the victims were taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd by ambulance but unfortunately, despite the best efforts of all involved, one person has died in hospital.
“The local coroner has been notified and specialized agents will support the deceased’s family.”
A Coast Guard spokeswoman said: ‘An extensive search and rescue operation has been launched after three people got into trouble at Beacons Jetty, Conwy last night.
“Coast guard rescue teams from Bangor and Llandudno were dispatched, along with the Conwy RNLI lifeboat, the coast guard helicopter from Caernarfon, the Welsh Ambulance Service and the North Wales Police Force.”