A British woman died after being swept into the sea while on holiday in the US, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has confirmed.
Ann Hauffe, 63, from West Sussex, was knocked by a large wave into the water along with friend Angela Jewell while at Carmel River State Beach in California on Monday.
The Monterey County Sheriff's office said that the two women were near to the surf when the wave took them into the sea and the riptide dragged them 100 yards (300ft) out from the shore.
A lifeguard managed to reach Mrs Jewell and stayed with her until a rescue boat arrived.
But Mrs Hauffe could not be reached until a Coastguard helicopter arrived and was able to pick her out of the water about 90 minutes after she entered the sea, according to the Montery County Herald newspaper.
She was taken to hospital where resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
An FCO spokesman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national. We are offering consular assistance."
