Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Andrew Story

Ref: 2024-0357 Date: 3 Jul 2024 Coroner: Jacqueline Devonish Area: Cheshire Responses identified: 1 / 2 View PDF

The absence of lifeguards, warning signs, or flags on a rough beach during tourist season created unsafe swimming conditions, despite high public usage.

Date 3 Jul 2024
56-day deadline 28 Aug 2024 est.
Responses identified 1 of 2
Other related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary
The absence of lifeguards, warning signs, or flags on a rough beach during tourist season created unsafe swimming conditions, despite high public usage.
View full coroner's concerns
'It was understood that the Greek Coroner had informed bereaved family members that the sea was particularly rough in Rethymno, Crete and had no lifeguards on duty between 31 August and the end of the summer season. This coincided with tourist season making the use of that beach and sea for swimming generally, and particularly unsafe in the absence of red warning markers, signs or flags

Responses

1 respondent
FCDO Central Government
5 Nov 2024 PDF
Noted

FCDO confirms that a response is still outstanding, but that they transmitted the report to the British Consulate in Crete for onward transmission to the relevant Greek authorities. They cannot guarantee a response from the Greek authorities. (AI summary)

View full response
Subject:    FW: [EXTERNAL] Missing Responses from Government Departments Sent:     05/11/2024, 08:18:48 From:     To:     Regulation28reports

Good Morning,

Thank you for your e-mail.

I can confirm that this response is still outstanding.  We received the following communication on the 30th July, but have had nothing since:

“Thank you for your email enclosing the Senior Coroners Regulation 28 Report. I am sorry for the delay in responding. I confirm receipt of the report, and that this has been transmitted, via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Coroner Liaison Officer, to the British Consulate in Crete for onwards transmission to the relevant Greek authorities.

Whilst I can confirm the transmission, the FCDO cannot guarantee the Greek authorities will respond to the coroner’s report by the 26th August 2024, if at all. Please let me know if you require anything further.”

Best Wishes

  – Coroner’s Officer Cheshire Coroner's Court, Museum Street, Warrington, WA1 1JX

Phone: 01606 36 5612 / 3892 | Email:   Visit www.cheshire.police.uk | Follow @cheshirepolice on Twitter | Like Cheshire Police on Facebook

From: Sent: 05 November 2024 08:14 To: Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] Missing Responses from Government Departments

FYI

Could you please confirm this is still the case, or send the relevant responses before I contact them. If they have been granted an extension please do let me know.

The deceased this applies to are:

Andrew Story Cheshire Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Kind regards, Olivia

Olivia Adshead Assistant Private Secretary to the Chief Coroner Judicial Office Royal Courts of Justice

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Report sections

Investigation and inquest
On 05 January 2024 I commenced an investigation into the death of Andrew James STORY aged 56. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26 June 2024. The conclusion of the inquest was that: Accident
Circumstances of the death
On 12 October 2023, 56 year old Andrew Story went for a swim in the sea in Rethymno whilst on holiday in Crete. He was only gone for a few minutes when a bystander was seen undertaking CPR on him, on the beach. A post mortem conducted in Greece offered a cause of death as drowning in sea water. A UK post mortem identified drowning but also left ventricular hypertrophy. Mr Story was taken away by ambulance but was sadly confirmed deceased thereafter.

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Report details

Reference
2024-0357
Date of report
3 July 2024
Coroner
Jacqueline Devonish
Coroner area
Cheshire

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 2
1 response not yet linked

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 28 Aug 2024 (estimated).

Sent to

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Greek authorities

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