Skegness Magazine

News story review:

A well written, shock story.

Source: Skegness Standard 21st November 2001

“Coroner hits out at people who watched man die in rescue bid

Spilsby and District coroner, Mr Stuart Fisher has expressed concern that over 100 people watched a life saving rescue off Ingoldmells beach without helping.
At the inquest of Derby man, David Mark Walsh, who drowned while trying to rescue two 13-year-old boys in trouble in the sea at Ingoldmells, Mr Fisher said it was an unfortunate commentary on a society where 100 people could stand and watch while a man risked his life.
He also said he would be writing to the authorities to request safety devices along what was a very dangerous stretch of coast.
Mr Walsh’s wife, Tracy said the couple went on a family holiday to Ingoldmells on July 20th. On Tuesday, July 31st, her husband went to the beach at Ingoldmells Point at about 7.15pm, where he saw two boys in trouble in the sea.
He dived in to to try and save them, she said. He was a good swimmer, and was very fir due to doing judo.
Boston coroner’s officer Mr Peter Hudson had taken a statement from Matthew Ellis and his cousin, Andrew Ineson, both of Dewsbury, at Boston Pilgrim Hospital. They said they were in the sea when they got into difficulties.
He said a man swam out to help them, and was holding Matthew when he suddenly let go and started drifting out. Another man then swam out and brought both of them in. They were both taken to hospital where they found out the man who had swam out to help them had died.
Lifeboatman Andrew Parker, of 19 Creasey Avenue, Skegness, said he was out on a bike ride with his father when he heard a message on his scanner and decided to go and help.
When he arrived on the beach he saw a large crowd of about 100 people and three people in the water.
Andrew Ineson was fairly close to the beach, and was able to get out of the water. He swam out and got Matthew Ellis, and then swam on and got Mr Walsh, before bringing them back to the beach.
Mr Walsh was unconscious and both were passed into the hands of the coastguard.
He said the tide was going out, but current caused by a nearby outflow would have been more likely to cause problems. It was a heavily used stretch of beach, and although there were two warning signs, there were no safety devices.
Summing up, Mr Fisher paid tribute to both Mr Walsh and Mr Parker, both of whom had been commended for bravery.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, he said Mr Walsh had died as a result of drowning.”

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