Man, 22, who died in jet ski accident had only purchased it that morning

A man who died in a jet skiing accident had only bought the machine that morning, his heartbroken girlfriend has revealed.

Billy James died in Torbay Hospital after a rescue operation off the coast of Teignmouth, Devon last night.

The 22-year-old was riding the jet ski that he and his friend had purchased together that morning, Devon Live reports.

His girlfriend Morgan Schween, 19, has praised the emergency services who tried to save his life and revealed Billy's dream of building his own house and starting a family.

Emergency services were called out to Teignmouth after receiving reports that a man who was operating a jet ski out at sea had got into difficulty.

A rescue effort was launched involving the Teignmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, Teignmouth RNLI lifeboat, South Western Ambulance Service and Devon and Cornwall Police.

Morgan, who had been in a relationship with Billy for two years on and off, said he moved to Torquay from the London area in December.

She said: "I wasn't with him when it happened. He had bought the jet ski yesterday morning and gone halves on it with a friend.

"He's ridden jet skis before and always wanted his own."

Morgan said Billy had gone out on the jet ski while his friend watched from the beach.

She said: "They saw him fall off and not get back on. They called 999 immediately.

"I'm not sure what happened, whether he was knocked out or what.

"The lifeboat was called out and brought him back to shore. They did CPR on him until the ambulance arrived and took him to Torbay Hospital.

"That's where he died."

Morgan said she received a phone call at 5am this morning from Billy's brother who told her he had died.

She said: "I'm absolutely heartbroken. I had no idea he had even had an accident.

"I want to say a big thank you to all the emergency services who tried to save him and did what they needed to do."

Morgan said Billy had big plans for the future.

She said: "He moved here in December and wanted to set up his own business. He was an electrician.

"He wanted to build his own house and start a family. He had it all planned out, but some things just don't go to plan."

"He was an amazing boy. He never liked being inside, always wanted to be outdoors.

"He was very loving and caring he tried to make everyone happy. I wish I could see him just one more time."

In a statement this morning, a spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "A 22-year-old man died after being pulled from the sea at Teignmouth last night.

"The man was operating a jet ski out at sea when he got into difficulty. He was rescued from the water by the RNLI who notified police around 9.40pm.

"Ambulance also attended and carried out CPR on the man. He was taken to Torbay District Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

"The man was from High Wycombe. His next of kin has been informed.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and police are preparing a file for HM Coroner."

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses and anyone with information