Man, 50s, dies after violent brawl at holiday park as police swarm popular coastal spot

Officers were called to St Minver Holiday Park, near Wadebridge, at around 8pm. Devon and Cornwall Police said a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent

A man in his 50s has died after a violent brawl at a Cornish holiday park as police confirm another man, in his 60s, has since been arrested and bailed.

Officers were called to St Minver Holiday Park, near Wadebridge, at around 8pm on Saturday (May 30) following reports of a fight between two men. The man who passed away was found with life‑threatening injuries and taken to Treliske Hospital, where he died two days later.

Devon and Cornwall Police said a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. He has been released on bail until August 21 while enquiries continue, according to Cornwall Live.

A mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been made following the incident, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed, adding that the force is fully co-operating with the watchdog.

Cornwall Live reports that sources spotted a visible police presence on site in the aftermath of the incident, including forensic officers and crime scene investigators.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Devon and Cornwall Police has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct [IOPC] following an incident in the Wadebridge area.

“Officers were called around 8pm on Saturday 30 May following a report of a physical altercation between two men at St Minver Holiday Park. The ambulance service also attended.

“A man in his 50s sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to Treliske Hospital. He died in hospital on 1 June. Officers arrested a man in his 60s on suspicion of wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. He has been bailed until 21 August pending further enquiries.

“The matter is now subject to an independent investigation by the IOPC due to police contact therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further. Devon and Cornwall Police is fully co-operating with the IOPC regarding this matter.”

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The watchdog confirmed an investigation is newly underway, examining the interactions that police had with the man before he became unresponsive, as well as the medical care provided by officers.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “We can confirm we are independently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man following an incident at a caravan park, in Cornwall, on 30 May 2026.

“Devon and Cornwall Police were called to the site, near Wadebridge at 8pm, after a man, aged in his 50s, was reported as behaving aggressively.“Officers gave first aid to the man and an ambulance was called at around 8.25pm. He was taken to hospital in Truro, where he sadly died, on June 1 2026.

“Our investigation, which is in the early stages, will look at the interactions officers had with the man prior to him becoming unresponsive, and the medical care provided by police.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the man’s family and friends. We will be in contact with them to explain our role and how our investigation will be conducted.”

Parkdean holiday resorts, which owns St Minver Holiday Park, has been contacted for comment.