Woman fell 'headfirst' on to seafront rocks, inquest

A woman died after she slipped from a seafront path and landed headfirst on sea defence rocks as the tide was rising, the opening of an inquest heard.

It happened as Saffron Cole-Nottage, 32, and her daughter were walking their dog along a narrow path close to The Esplanade in Lowestoft on 2 February.

Ms Cole-Nottage, who was from the town, slipped, landed on the path, then stood up and slipped again, this time falling headfirst on to the rocks, Friday's hearing at Suffolk Coroner's Court in Ipswich was told.

She ended up with her head partially submerged in the water. Emergency services managed to free her but she died.

Senior inquest officer Paul Sermons said: "While walking, Saffron lost her footing and slipped, landing on the pathway.

"Although Saffron managed to get herself back up, she fell again and landed with her head between the sea defence rocks.

"Saffron became trapped and partially submerged in the water with the tide rising."

He said attempts were made to free Ms Cole-Nottage by her daughter and by members of the public before emergency services arrived.

"Although they managed to free Saffron from the rocks, she tragically died," Mr Sermons said.

He said an initial post-mortem examination was carried out, but did not state a provisional medical cause of death.

Suffolk's senior coroner, Nigel Parsley, opened and adjourned the inquest for "further work to be completed".

A pre-inquest review will be heard on June 6, where a date will be set a date for a full inquest.

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