The heartbroken loved ones of a 24-year-old woman who died after getting into difficulty on her paddleboard have paid tribute to the "beautiful and happy go lucky" woman.

Emma Louise Powell, from the Llandudno area, was one of three paddleboarders who got into difficulties at Conwy Morfa beach in north Wales on Thursday night.

A major rescue operation, involving police, the coastguard, ambulance crews, an RNLI crew and the coastguard helicopter, was launched and the three were rescued from the water.

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Sadly, Emma passed away at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, in the early hours of Friday morning.

Since the tragedy Emma's family has said she was "a free spirit" and "adventurous" and will remain in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

Emma's devastated family have thanked everyone for the messages of support they have received.

In a post on the GoFundMe site, they wrote: "We have sadly lost our beloved Emma Louise.

"Emma was like no other, everyone who was lucky enough to cross paths with her had no choice but to love her. She was a huge happy go lucky personality.

"She was such a vibrant soul with a huge heart, but could also be a stroppy cow when she wanted to be, but that's just our Emma.

"We are creating this GoFundMe in hopes that Emma's loved family and friends will help give Emma the big send off she deserves.

"With no plans set ahead yet, what we do know is that Emma is going to have the greatest send off that we possibly can do for her, in Emma's words 'Go Big or Go Home."

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A North Wales Police spokesman said: "We received a call at 10.14pm last night reporting 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 casualties.

"Two of the casualties were taken by ambulance to Ysbyty Gwynedd but sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, one person passed away in hospital.

"The local coroner has been informed, and specialist officers will be supporting the family of the deceased."

A spokeswoman for the coastguard said: "An extensive search and rescue was carried out after three people got into difficulty at Beacons Jetty, Conwy last night.

"Coastguard rescue teams from Bangor and Llandudno were sent, along with Conwy RNLI lifeboat, the coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon, the Welsh Ambulance Service and North Wales Police."

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