Inquest: Woman drowned trapped headfirst in sea rocks

Saffron Cole-Nottage, a 32-year-old cleaner from Lowestoft, Suffolk, drowned after becoming trapped headfirst in sea defence rocks along The Esplanade seafront on February 2, 2023, while walking her dog with her daughter, an inquest has concluded.

A girl dialled 999 at 7:52 p.m., alerting ambulance handlers within 30 seconds that Cole-Nottage was "caught head down in the rock" by the seafront. The caller reported screaming at 7:57 p.m. and 7:58 p.m., then stated at 7:59 p.m. that she was "in the water now." Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, the last of four emergency services notified, received the call at 8:04 p.m. Firefighters arrived at 8:22 p.m. and freed her less than 30 seconds after placing hands on her at 8:29 p.m. She was pronounced dead at 8:44 p.m.

Suffolk area coroner Darren Stewart recorded a narrative conclusion that Cole-Nottage "died from drowning which has come about due to accidental circumstances." He noted the East of England Ambulance Service did not immediately contact the fire service and stated, "Had the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service been immediately alerted to the incident its possible that Saffron would have been extricated from the rocks sooner and...