Lack of signage led to girl's death, inquest finds

The death of a teenager who was swept into the sea while she sat on a set of disused steps would have been avoided if there had been signs prohibiting entry, an inquest has found.

Edie Smart, 13, from Monkseaton in North Tyneside, had been enjoying a day out with her friend in Whitley Bay when she was pulled into the sea in July.

At Newcastle Coroners' Court, senior coroner Georgina Nolan recorded her death as accidental, but raised concerns over a lack of "no entry" signs.

She also raised concerns over a delay by HM Coastguard teams in calling on help from lifeguards who, she said, would have reached Edie while she was still breathing if had they been called sooner.

The inquest heard how Edie, a "well and competent swimmer", had been enjoying the "hot sunny weather" with her friend when they visited an area of the promenade which was "easily accessible."

Once on a lower promenade, they entered a "railed-off" area and entered through a second rail to sit at the top of disused steps where there was no signage prohibiting entry and the "railings were easily breached".

"Edie had no intention of swimming that day but a large wave surged up and swept her into the sea," Nolan said.

"I find that the measures taken to discourage members of public from the area were not adequate and if a sign had been present Edie would have taken heed. She would not have entered the area or been washed into the sea."

The inquest heard once Edie had been pulled into the water, she was still alive and breathing for several minutes before falling unconscious.

A previous hearing was told how HM Coastguard teams did not call upon help from nearby beach lifeguards immediately, as they are not a "declared asset" - which means they do not form part of the initial response.

Two lifeguards had been the first to successfully arrive to Edie's aid, but she was unconscious and in cardiac arrest by the time they reached her, Nolan said.

Edie was transferred on to a lifeboat and brought to shore, where two ambulance support practitioners from North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) were the first medical professionals on the scene.

However, the inquest previously heard how neither of them were authorised to use an I-Gel, an advanced form of treatment to secure an airway, as this is reserved for paramedics or administered under paramedic supervision.

Nolan said she would be completing a report to prevent future deaths, which followed evidence from NEAS crews that "suggested it may be useful for such equipment to be used by them without paramedic guidance" given ambulance support practitioners "often" arrived before paramedics.

Speaking after the ruling, NEAS director of quality and safety Julia Young said the service would "carefully reflect on Edie's care" and provide a "full and detailed" response to the coroner regarding the use of the equipment.

A spokesperson for North Tyneside Council said the local authority accepted the coroner's findings.

"Regular independent safety inspections, both before and since Edie's tragic death, found the railings to be safe, adequate and compliant with British and European standards, and this is the first incident of its kind at that location.

"In light of the coroner's verdict, the local authority will urgently re-engage with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to carry out a further review of safety measures in the area."

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragic events at Whitley Bay, and we will carefully consider the coroner's comments."

RNLI head of region Rebecca Felton said the charity was "extremely grateful" for Edie's parents' "public display of thanks and support" during the inquest.

"We also want to thank them for supporting fundraising and the sharing of water safety messages in Edie's memory."

Paying tribute to Edie's family, Nolan said they had been "incredibly brave" and had conducted themselves in a "dignified way".

As the inquest concluded, Edie's father Paul said: "As we continue to come to terms with our loss, we will now look to celebrate and cherish the memories we have of Edie and the immeasurable joy she brought to our lives."