The man was with a woman and a two-year-old child when they got into trouble off Fistral beach, Newquay, on the county’s northwest coast, at about 5.20pm on Friday.
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Mr Bruynius, who is originally from South Africa but was living in London, was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead, while McKayla was reported to be in a critical condition.
A man has died after being swept out to sea while he was at the beach with his family as parts of Britain were battered by strong winds and rain.
A massive wave swept them off their feet and into the water, prompting a desperate operation to save them – including lifeguards, the resort’s lifeboats, the Cornwall Air Ambulance and the Coastguard helicopter.
Their daughter McKayla, two, was rescued from the sea and is now at Royal Cornwall Hospital fighting for her life on a ventilator.
The Environment Agency’s flood risk manager, Craig Woolhouse said: “We urge people to stay safe on the coast and warn wave-watchers against the unnecessary dangers of taking “storm selfies”.
RNLI lifeguards rescued the mother using their jetski, with the father and the two-year-old girl recovered from the sea by an RNLI lifeboat.
His wife, who sustained minor injuries, and daughter were also taken to hospital, as were the other children.
A crowdfunding page has been set up to help the family dragged into the sea in Newquay and more than £5,000 was raised in the first few hours.
A family of five – from the Surrey area – have endured the holiday of their nightmares as they were thrown at to sea in Newquay.
Next of kin have not yet been informed – and the man has not yet been formally identified.
Maria said: “Two young boys were brought in by a member of staff”.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Jarrod Yewen, of Newquay CID, said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family at this hard time”.
“We are investigating the circumstances of the incident and we would like to speak to anyone who was on the beach at the time”.
Anyone who saw the incident or has information which can assist the investigation is being asked to attend Newquay police station on Sunday August 21 between 10am and 2pm.
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An Essex Police spokesman said they were trying to establish the events leading up to his death.
