Inquest into Lowestoft seafront tragedy hears from witnesses

On Tuesday afternoon, the inquest into the death of 32-year-old Saffron Cole-Nottage resumed at Suffolk Coroners’ Court.

Ms Cole-Nottage died after slipping as she walked along the prom, having gone for a walk with her dog and one of her children. Her cause of death was given as drowning.

Ian Jones told the court he was out for a walk at around 7.45pm on the evening of February 2.

He then became concerned when he heard shouts for help and saw another man, witness Alex Singleton-Dent, rushing over to help.

Scenes showing Lowestoft seafront, where Saffron-Cole-Nottage lost her life. (Image: Suffolk Coroners' Court)

The emergency services attended the scene. (Image: Suffolk Coroners' Court)

The two men could see a pair of legs sticking out of the water in between the sea defence rocks and the walkway.

Together, they tried to pull Ms Cole-Nottage free, but could not do so.

Mr Singleton-Dent recalled her becoming unresponsive. While he said the adrenaline made the wait for the emergency services feel like longer, he said it “felt like we were trying for ages”.

Another witness said that the wait “felt like an eternity”.

Emergency services responded after a young woman died following a fall on Lowestoft seafront. Picture: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Floral tributes and messages left near the scene after young mother Saffron Cole-Nottage died following a fall on Lowestoft seafront. Picture: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Previously, the court has been told that an initial 999 call was made at 7.52pm but the fire service was not mobilised until 18 minutes later, at 8.10pm.

Ms Cole-Nottage’s family paid tribute to their mother, sister, daughter and friend, who they described as “bubbly, fun and full of life,” “truly one of a kind”.

“To know Saff was never to forget her,” they wrote. “She leaves behind not just cherished memories but most importantly, her wonderful children who will carry her spirit forward.”

A pathology report read at court heard there were 271 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of Ms Cole-Nottage’s blood. The legal limit for driving is 80mg.

The inquest heard the 32-year-old had spent the day with her stepmother Patricia Cole, her dad and the children and Mrs Cole said at no time had she shown signs of being drunk.

Her partner Michael Wheeler who saw her when he got home after work said she been drinking but not slurring her words and acting normally. 

It was heard that Ms Cole-Nottage’s partner, Michael Wheeler, has concerns about the safety the prom and is anxious that no other family should suffer the loss of their loved one as he and his children have done.

The inquest continues.